On 22 August 1994, Lithuanian peacekeeping unit LITPLA-1 deployed to Croatia for an international operation, where it participated in the United Nations peacekeeping mission UNPROFOR as part of the Danish battalion DANBAT. This historic event was the first practical step in the integration of the Lithuanian Armed Forces into Western defence organisations. To mark this important historical date, a ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of Lithuania’s participation in international operations will take place in Vilnius, at Simonas Daukantas Square on 22 August 2024. The commemoration will be attended by the President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, the leadership of the Ministry of National Defence and the Lithuanian Armed Forces, soldiers and civilians who have taken part in international operations, commanders of the forces, allied troops deployed in Lithuania, defence attachés from foreign countries, and the soldiers’ families and friends.
32 Lithuanian troops led by Captain Artūras Chrapko went on their first international mission just four years after the restoration of independence. In doing so, Lithuania demonstrated its willingness to cooperate with other allies and its determination to share responsibility for international security.
Over the past 30 years, Lithuania’s participation in international operations has changed dramatically: from one international operation in 1994 to 11 today taking place in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Indian Ocean, from the National Defence Volunteer Force to the involvement of all forces of the National Defence System, from individual soldiers to specialised military units (liaison, security, trainers), from a UN operation to operations and missions led by NATO, the EU, the ESBO and the International Coalitions led operations and missions.
In total, more than 8,000 Lithuanian military personnel have been involved in international operations ranging from peacekeeping to counter-terrorism over three decades. They have earned the reputation of trusted allies, gaining invaluable experience in planning and conducting operations and working alongside our allies in a variety of conditions, which is particularly valuable today in preparing for the defence of our homeland. Our troops themselves have become instructors today, and now they are passing on the gained experience to Ukraine. Our troops are continuously training Ukrainian troops to defend their country against invaders. Supporting the training of Ukrainian troops is a current priority for Lithuania’s participation in international operations.
Unfortunately, we have paid the ultimate price for world peace: we have lost two of our own soldiers in the course of our international operations – Senior Lieutenant Normunds Valteris who was killed by an anti-tank mine in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 17 April 1996 and Sergeant Arūnas Jarmalavičius whom we lost on 22 May 2008 during the attack on the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) camp in Ghor, Afghanistan. Their memory will be honoured during the ceremony at S. Daukantas Square.
The ceremonial formation in S. Daukantas Square on 22 August will start at 15:00. You are welcome to attend.
