On August 16–18, Russian arms control inspectors are conducting a verification visit at the Motorized Infantry Brigade Griffin of the Lithuanian Armed Forces under the Vienna Document 2011 of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The OSCE Vienna Document 2011 commits the signatory countries to conduct information exchange on their manpower, planned capability development and defence budgets on an annual basis, and to notify other Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) countries in advance of scheduled military activities of significant scope. The states also commit to accept a designated number of inspections and evaluation visits by other member states’ military inspectors in military units in their territories.
Each OSCE member has a right to verify if any other member does not conduct military activities requiring advance notification or does not have undeclared military capabilities, on the basis of regulations of the Vienna Document 2011.
During the verification visit in Lithuania, the Russian arms control inspectors will be provided with the information on the verified unit as committed by the Vienna Document, and view the weaponry and equipment at the unit. They will be able to visit MIB Griffin subdivisions and talk to soldiers to get the grasp about the routine activities conducted there.
According to the regulations of the Vienna Document 2011, Russia will report to the members of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe on the compliance with endorsed international treaties on arms control witnessed during the inspection in Lithuania.
This is the second arms control visit under the Vienna Document in Lithuania this year. Military observers from Russia, Belarus, Finland and Sweden observed field training exercise of the Mechanized Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf, Iron Wolf 2021-I, in late May.
Photo credit:” MIB Griffin
