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Lithuania, on a Saturday afternoon. A group of civilians are practicing defending their country. The scenario: A Russian invasion.
Participants:
»Attack! Who sees the enemy?"
A simulated combat situation. There is no shooting yet, only shouting. Retreat.
Adomas Klimantas, a student, also trains in the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union, a paramilitary association for volunteers.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"That was a real battle situation, well, at least as real as it can be. We heard shots in front of us, at twelve o'clock. Then we need to know what to do next, how to withdraw. Honestly, that's the most exciting part for me – so far. I'm looking forward to what's next. I think it's going to be shooting."
A sense of duty and a thrill – Klimantas is tempting to do both. But the day will still be long, and the exercises will challenge him and the others, both physically and mentally.
7 a.m., Saturday morning. Before going into the forest, there is yoghurt with muesli. Adomas Klimantas is doing his doctorate at Oxford. Economic history. He is currently writing his doctoral thesis in Vilnius. Shortly after Russia's attack on Ukraine, the 27-year-old joined the Lithuanian Rifle Union. It's a tradition in his family: his great-grandmother and grandfather were already members, and his father joined almost at the same time.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"We were afraid that the war would also reach our national borders. Everyone thought that Ukraine would fall quickly. And then that's it: then Russia is on our borders. That's why we need to be prepared. I need to know that I can help somehow. Because I'm not going to get out of the number."
It is the last day of his voluntary basic training. Today, Klimantas has to show what he has learned for a year: camouflage, take cover, shoot.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"Even the non-verbal signs, such as 'forward' and 'stop'... Oh, I've already made a mistake. This means ›Stop‹. I'm a little worried that I'm not doing well. And that then the entire squad could be punished."
The false hand signal will not be the only mistake Klimantas is making today.
About 30 kilometers from the capital Vilnius, the final training begins. It is not far to the Belarusian border. The number of participants today: 133 – mostly men.
In addition to the army and the reservists, the "Lithuanian Rifle Union" is an integral part of the country's defense strategy. Such organisations also exist in Latvia, Estonia, Poland and Finland, for example. The former agrarian nations were economically too weak to build up a strong army – and relied on volunteers, to this day. In the event of defence, the combat-ready units of the "Rifle Union" are subordinate to the military.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"Then you have to hit the magazine."
Nobody wanted to be a professional soldier here. In war, the majority of the "Schützenunion" would be responsible for maintaining the infrastructure and supplying the population. However, the handling of the weapon is part of the basic training of the combat troops.
Instructor:
"Povalenko. Here. Venclovas. Here. Count shooters independently. First, second, third, fourth...«
One third of the members of the »Schützenunion« are minors – it is also about recruiting young people. The association has a total of 14,000 members. Since the beginning of the Russian war against Ukraine, around 3000 people have joined. Among them are doctors, lawyers and lecturers. The Lithuanian army is hardly larger.
Justina Vizbarnitė, medical device
entrepreneur: "We all know what happened to Ukraine in 2014 and last year. So I decided that I wanted to join people who think like me and who also fight.«
Karolis Mickevičius-Mėgelaitis, management consultant:
"We have a long and not very pleasant history with the Russians. So I felt the need to be prepared to protect my family and my country."
By the end of 2035, the force is expected to grow from 14,000 to 50,000 members, according to the government, which has massively increased the defense budget. The "Schützenunion" now receives about five times as much money as before the war: more than 10 million euros for weapons, helmets, bulletproof vests.
After a good two hours of lining up and counting, the time has come: the assault rifles are handed out. Model AK4, made in Sweden. Many will be pulling the trigger outside a shooting range for the first time today.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"Carrying a gun in the forest... We have never come so close to a combat situation. That's probably going to be the most exciting."
Then it's Klimantas' turn. He has recently become a group leader and is now responsible for himself and nine comrades.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"First of all, security. We close the shutter. We fire the control shot. The safety lever goes to the ›P position‹. And then back to 'S'."
Ammunition will be available later.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"Okay, security check completed. Let's go!«
In any case, shooting is only done with blank cartridges. So far, hardly anyone has a gun license. Klimantas wants to do it soon. Before the drill starts: final instructions from the company commander.
Company commander:
"We don't pull snakes by the tail. We don't chase a hare and we don't try to talk to foxes. We treat nature with respect and protect ourselves.«
In the forest, it will be difficult enough anyway – even without animals. From now on, the defense case will be rehearsed.
Although Lithuania has been a member of NATO since 2004, there is great concern that Russia could take over the small country. It is just 300 kilometers from east to west, and some neighbors are not exactly trustworthy: Belarus as a close ally of Russia in the southeast, the highly armed Russian enclave of Kaliningrad in the west. In between, just 100 kilometers of Lithuanian-Polish border, the Suwałki Corridor, which is considered a strategic weak point. If Russia and Belarus were to attack here, they could cut off the Baltic states from NATO territory.
In this emergency, civilians train in their spare time. Somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Every few hundred meters you have to take cover, put on your weapon, hold out.
With a good 20 kilos on his back, Adomas Klimantas marches with his comrades towards the forest.
After almost two kilometers the first break. And the first uncertainty.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"How was that again? When we have to go to the toilet... Did they say that if it's not far away, you can just give the gun to someone else? Can't you?"
In an emergency, the answer should be clear. The task now is to camouflage in the best possible way.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"It has to look as natural as possible. If it's just one color or two and they're not mixed enough, one can easily be spotted. So the colors have to be as mixed up as possible."
For control, everyone has a pocket mirror – actually. Klimantas doesn't find his. He helps himself in other ways.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"That's against protocol, I'd have to use a mirror."
Again, he is unsure what he is allowed to do and what he is not. Ideally, it would have to be possible without a mirror anyway. To be on the safe side, he borrows a comrade's. He doesn't want to make any mistakes.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"I don't feel like we're ready. Every exercise like this prepares us. But I'm always afraid that we're too slow. I don't know anyone in my circle of acquaintances who doesn't believe the threat is real. We've had this before: in 1940. That can happen again.«
1940 left its mark on Lithuania for generations: at that time, the Soviets occupied the country and established a regime of terror. Tens of thousands are deported to Siberia, children are abducted, countless people are expropriated. During this time, the »Schützenunion« was also banned and dissolved.
Place brand: Vilnius University
Lithuanian historian Kęstutis Kilinskas researches the impact of wars and occupations on society.
Kęstutis Kilinskas, historian:
"The greatest trauma for Lithuanians is that they did not resist the Soviet threat in the 1940s. They did not fight Bolshevism at that time. Lithuania still understands the threat posed by the Soviet Union at that time as the greatest threat to society, the nation and the country."
When the German Wehrmacht took over the small country in 1941, many initially saw this as an opportunity to free themselves from the Red Army. They collaborate. Individual members of the then disbanded »Schützenunion« are also said to have collaborated with the Nazis during this time.
Even before the end of the Second World War, the Soviets occupied the country again – this time for decades. It was not until 1990 that Lithuania became independent. Almost at the same time, the »Schützenunion« was re-founded.
Today, around three-quarters of Lithuanians see Russia as the greatest threat to the Baltics.
Kęstutis Kilinskas, historian:
"After the annexation of Crimea in 2014, the number of members of the Riflemen's Union in Lithuania increased. And my research shows that there is a direct link between the perception of the threat and participation in national defense."
Instructor:
»Run, run, run.«
In order to protect this long-won independence, even those who might not shoot in an emergency are taking up arms.
Instructor:
"Get up, get up! You give cover. And you give him the sign. Not forward, to the side! Get off the run!«
Reda Vaičiulienė, lawyer, company commander:
"I really believe that every person who can defend the country with a weapon is needed. Some take time off from work to train. They are much more motivated than professional soldiers. That's not to say that the army isn't enough. But we also need strong and motivated people in case of an enemy attack."
Adomas Klimantas has invested a lot of time. At least three hours per week. Plus exercises on weekends. For a whole year.
He invests significantly more time in his doctoral thesis. He writes about the economic history of the Baltic States. When he finishes his studies, he wants to teach at the university himself. A life between books and bivouac.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"It somehow makes life more dynamic. If only I were always in the forest... I wouldn't like that at all. I don't consider myself a forest person. We have some in our company who might say: I go to the forest every weekend, even if there is no training. I could do that too, but I don't want to. I want to wear a white shirt. I want to do an office job. I want to study, learn, read and all that. But just doing that would feel like something was missing."
His perception is that the whole country is currently under pressure.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"I believe that preparing for war is indirectly expected of every patriotic person in the country today. Whether or not a person joins the paramilitary or the military is entirely his or her decision. But I think everyone is grappling with these thoughts now. For me, it's a thing I have to do. And I think at least for the next few years, or maybe for my whole life, that's going to be the norm."
The self-proclaimed patriot for national defense still has a lot to learn. For example, how to wear a baseball cap. Another mistake – strictly speaking.
In a real combat situation, such a thing would be inconsequential.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"If we are marching through the forest, and the commander could call the alarm at any time and we have to react... In these moments, I think that the same thing is happening in Ukraine – it's just a reality there."
After a good eight and a half hours of training and marching, many of the participants want above all else: to sit.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"Fatigue is noticeable. Slowly you can feel it. The marches between the exercises are a bit more challenging this time.«
The troops do not have much time to rest. The next exercise is coming up. Klimantas still has to wait for the long-awaited shooting with ammunition.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"First line forward. I'm leading the way. Damn! Shit! I'll give you cover."
Shortly before Klimantas is finally allowed to shoot, he thinks again.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"I'm afraid that I might be too scared to fight really well. I couldn't forgive myself for just leaving the country if something happened. But I'm afraid that a small part of me will still want to flee and escape the fight."
He is now getting closer to the fight than ever before. The ammunition is issued. Three blanks for each. There it is, the thrill. And again: the uncertainty.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"Did he say the magazine would go in your pocket or in your rifle?"
Participant:
"Into the gun. But don't load the gun."
An ambush is planned. Klimantas' squad hides in the undergrowth and lies in wait for another group.
Instructor:
"There is complete silence during the ambush. This means that you lie still, without rustling, whispering, chewing noises and so on. Then you wait."
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"They will come from up there. Then we'll strike."
Participant:
"Are we lying on a mat?"
Participant:
"No."
The squad takes a stand.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"A little closer!"
Then it's time to wait for the supposed enemy. And that can take time.
An hour passes.
The squad of Klimantas survived the ambush. It is now 21 p.m.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"That was difficult. It was the first time I had shot at a human being – albeit with blanks, but still. It didn't feel completely real. But it was closer to reality. And that makes us better prepared for anything that might happen."
The next evening. Adomas Klimantas has invited fellow students and friends. He was in the forest until 5 o'clock in the morning, and slept for 30 minutes at night, he says. For today, he's happy to be back in student life.
Adomas Klimantas, student:
"I still feel more comfortable in normal clothes. Maybe that will change in the future... But when I took everything off, washed off the camouflage make-up, I felt like I was reborn. I think it's not just a physical feeling, it's also a subconscious one."