Lithuania reports expulsion of three Ukrainians over alleged intelligence links

Lithuania has expelled three Ukrainian citizens and banned them from returning for five years, LRT reported on 4 November 2026, citing the State Security Department (VSD). According to the agency, they carried out paid tasks for “hostile” foreign intelligence services. The information comes solely from LRT; at the time of publication, Flank had found no independent confirmation of the claims of intelligence activity.

Permits revoked and tasks assigned via Telegram

According to LRT, reporting the VSD statement, the three were declared a threat to national security and their temporary residence permits were revoked. The exact date of their expulsion was not given.

According to the agency cited by LRT, they were given paid assignments via Telegram and other messaging apps. The specific tasks and the sites of interest were not described.

Expulsion and the revocation of residence permits restrict access to the country. They are not equivalent to a criminal conviction and do not in themselves prove the allegations of intelligence activity.

What remains unknown

The statement reported by LRT does not identify the countries or specific intelligence services for which VSD says the three worked. Their Ukrainian citizenship does not establish a link to the Ukrainian authorities.

The evidence on which the Lithuanian agency bases its link between the assignments and foreign intelligence has not been presented. The use of Telegram or another app alone does not reveal the identity or state affiliation of whoever commissioned the tasks.

It remains unclear whether the three acted together, whether they face criminal proceedings and whether they have challenged the decisions. There is also insufficient information to assess whether the alleged activity involved military sites or critical infrastructure.