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International report

Lithuanians join paramilitary group to counter Russian threat

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Since Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, countries close to Russia have been alarmed. Lithuania is no exception.

Lithuanian military reservists storm a building as part of joint exercises with the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union.
Lithuanian military reservists storm a building as part of joint exercises with the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union. Jonathan Brown
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The small nation in northern Europe of nearly 3 million people joined the European Union (EU) and NATO after it gained independence from the Soviet Union 25 years ago.

But in response to this perceived threat from Russia, Lithuanians are joining the Riflemen's Union, a paramilitary group with 10,000 members who are preparing to defend the country against a foreign army.

Jonathan Brown reports.

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