Lithuania to deliver 30 RBS missiles to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses

2026-02-25 - 11:22

Speaking after talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Kaunas said the missiles would help Ukraine counter continued aerial threats. He traveled to Kyiv on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. “To help protect critical infrastructure, we are delivering 30 RBS missiles to Ukraine. This is weaponry Ukraine urgently needs and it will help strengthen its air defense,” Kaunas said. Coalition talks and winter energy support The visit coincided with meetings of the “coalition of the willing” and the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8), alongside bilateral discussions with Zelenskyy and Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, according to Lithuania’s Defense Ministry. At the NB8 session, Kaunas urged intensified assistance to help Ukraine withstand Russian strikes on civilian energy infrastructure during the winter months. He noted that Lithuania delivered 90 generators valued at more than €2 million ($2.2 million) during January and February 2026 — the coldest period of the season — and is preparing further shipments of diesel generators, transformers and electric motors to support electricity restoration efforts. Vilnius will also participate in the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List initiative by supplying US-made weapons to Kyiv, the ministry said. Energy supplies and industrial cooperation In addition to military assistance, Kaunas announced that a new shipment of liquefied natural gas from the United States — routed through the Klaipėda LNG terminal — is expected to arrive in Ukraine soon. Separate talks with Fedorov focused on expanding defense-industrial cooperation. Both sides agreed to deepen collaboration on joint Lithuanian-Ukrainian weapons production projects in both countries, reflecting a growing emphasis on co-production and long-term defense integration. The announcements underscore Lithuania’s continued political, military and energy support for Ukraine as the war enters its fourth year.