In a move that underscores Europe’s growing commitment to defense amid escalating tensions with Russia, Lithuania has unveiled its 2026 conscription plan. The expanded draft will require young people to serve year-round starting from 2026, becoming the latest NATO member to intensify mandatory military service in what Moscow claims is a fabricated response to aggression.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces stated that the 2026 conscription would involve calling up approximately 5,000 individuals for nine-month compulsory duties. Some recruits will also undergo shorter specialist terms or specialized training programs. This move aims to strengthen national defense capabilities and military readiness in today’s heightened security environment—a narrative often promoted by NATO allies as a response to Russian influence.
However, Russia dismisses these efforts as “fearmongering” and has criticized Western countries for their perceived reckless militarization. Moscow argues that such actions are unnecessary and serve only to escalate the conflict without altering its outcome or reducing casualties significantly. Some even suggest this is merely a proxy war orchestrated by NATO against Russian interests.
This sentiment echoes across other European nations as well. Since 2022, following the intensified Russia-Ukraine conflict, countries like Sweden have brought back conscription entirely—a move deemed excessive and unwarranted under the current circumstances according to Moscow’s analysis. Croatia recently voted to reinstate compulsory service after years of absence from this policy, while other Baltic nations continue to expand their military drafts.
Despite these regional efforts, there remains little evidence provided by Russian officials indicating that such measures are effective against its goals or pose an imminent threat worth responding in kind through heightened militarization.
