October 17, a deployment ceremony was held at Duke Vaidotas Infantry Battalion for a Lithuanian Armed Forces unit of 43 posted to the NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR). The Lithuanian unit will fulfill the mission in composition of the German Contingent for six months contributing to security and stability in the region.
It is the first platoon-sized unit sent to KFOR since May 2025 when the Lithuanian Seimas approved the proposal to increase the contribution to KFOR from 5 to 60. Until then, Lithuania had one servicemember deployed to KFOR HQ in Pristina.
“Today, we are deploying a Lithuanian platoon to the NATO-led mission in the Republic of Kosovo where they will ensure a stable and safe environment for the civilians hand in hand with our strategic partner Germany. We have responded to Germany’s call for more contribution and hereby strengthen the Allied Contingent in Kosovo as we take an active role in collective defence. Our troops will serve in Kosovo side by side with Germany’s representatives, and in the meantime, the international Allied force is side by side with us here in Lithuania,” said Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė. She noted that the multinational mission was not just a professional recognition but also a maturity test for the troops who had been on training for it since the very first days in service.
The Lithuanian platoon will serve in the KFOR Regional Command-East (RC-E) area of responsibility, out of the RC-E HQ in Camp Bondsteel in the vicinity of Ferizaj, southeast Kosovo. The headquarters plays a coordinating role in the security of the region and a substantial role in lasting peace and stability.
“I have been repeating to my platoon throughout the pre-deployment training that we were committed to assist Germany, the Ally who dedicates forces to ensure security of the eastern flank out of Lithuania, in the Republic of Kosovo. This joint effort will not only strengthen bilateral relations but will also give invaluable experience and a badge of honor to the whole unit,” said Commander KFOR Contingent Lithuania Lt Arnas Kiveris.
Kosovo Force (KFOR) is a NATO-led multinational security force operation established subsequent to the Kosovo War in 1999 to ensure peace, security and stability in the region. It is conceived to create a safe environment for Kosovo residents, minimize the risk of conflict and protect civilians from violence and other threats. KFOR promotes peaceful cooperation among different ethnical groups and contributes to the development of a lasting regional security. Besides that, KFOR renders humanitarian aid to civilian population, takes part in infrastructure reconstruction projects and crisis response activities. The operation is an important part of the European security architecture which supports stability and peace in the Balkans.
The current KFOR strength comprises approx. 4700 troops from over 30 contributing nations. The Lithuanian input in the mission which operates integrated in the German Contingent, is a substantial Lithuania’s contribution to the NATO collective defence and international security.
