Monday, February 9, 2026- German troops stationed in Lithuania as part of NATO’s eastern flank reinforcement are not facing direct combat, but they are contending with a range of hybrid tactics attributed to Russia. Soldiers report receiving mysterious phone calls and facing unexplained attempts at intimidation, while drones and other surveillance devices have appeared near training exercises, a campaign that officials describe as psychological and informational pressure designed to disrupt operations and morale without crossing into open warfare.
These hybrid tactics reflect a broader pattern of activity that includes suspected reconnaissance flights and probing of NATO defenses in the Baltic region. Although there hasn’t been direct fighting, the persistent presence of spy drones and unexplained communications is contributing to a tense environment for the Bundeswehr brigade. Experts warn that Russia’s strategy is to exploit ambiguity — applying pressure just below the formal threshold of armed conflict to test NATO responses and sow uncertainty among alliance forces.
In response, Germany and NATO allies are maintaining and strengthening their deterrence posture. The Bundeswehr’s 45th Armoured Brigade remains deployed in Lithuania, part of a longer‑term effort to assure Baltic security and deter escalation. Military and political leaders emphasize the need to remain vigilant against hybrid threats, including psychological operations and technological probes that do not trigger conventional war criteria but still aim to weaken alliance cohesion and readiness.
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