First-hand look at German military base in Lithuania

CBC News gained access to a German-led military base in Lithuania, part of NATO's presence in the Balkans in support of Ukraine.
»»» Subscribe to CBC News to watch more videos: bit.ly/1RreYWS
Connect with CBC News Online:
For breaking news, video, audio and in-depth coverage: bit.ly/1Z0m6iX
Find CBC News on Facebook: bit.ly/1WjG36m
Follow CBC News on Twitter: bit.ly/1sA5P9H
For breaking news on Twitter: bit.ly/1WjDyks
Follow CBC News on Instagram: bit.ly/1Z0iE7O
Subscribe to CBC News on Snapchat: bit.ly/3leaWsr
Download the CBC News app for iOS: apple.co/25mpsUz
Download the CBC News app for Android: bit.ly/1XxuozZ
»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»
For more than 75 years, CBC News has been the source Canadians turn to, to keep them informed about their communities, their country and their world. Through regional and national programming on multiple platforms, including CBC Television, CBC News Network, CBC Radio, CBCNews.ca, mobile and on-demand, CBC News and its internationally recognized team of award-winning journalists deliver the breaking stories, the issues, the analyses and the personalities that matter to Canadians.

[@DamnControl5]

After 76 years, the German army is back in Lithuania. This time as friends.

[@danutarzepecka4056]

Same thoughts.Germany and Russia. Again they moving east around Poland. Bialorus in the middle. WWIII???

[@marekgogowski4384]

In both cases they "were just following orders" son. Don't get excited.

[@witamwas]

"This time as friends." 100% right. Friends of Putin and Russia.

[@markushuber214]

@@witamwas Friends of Peace - but Russia dont want peace this time.

[@timh6792]

We‘ve always been friends. The Baltic nations were glad we defended them against the Soviet union in ww2.

[@xmanykl4400]

That Iron Cross in those vehicles looks really awesome and impresssive.

[@Ryanboss64]

yes certainly Germany is the best!

[@xmanykl4400]

@@Ryanboss64 Exactly

[@hartmutwrith3134]

The iron cross is from old Prussia and had been established in bigger scal in the liberation wars from Napoleons occupation back in 1812. BUT a nice cross is not winning any war. ;-) ..and we might be OK, but we are not the best. (my oppinion) .

[@lucerfi2662]

@@hartmutwrith3134 way back to Teutonic Knights.

[@hartmutwrith3134]

@@lucerfi2662 right. I am talking about the iron cross in modern military service here in Germany.

[@nesseihtgnay9419]

Thank you putin for giving nato a new purpose to stand together

[@MrGunnar69]

And forget the democratic measures against the virus.

[@goldenaye3]

Really, when the missiles start hitting their country, they would feel it not america

[@jasonmorris1645]

Are you crazy.. this will be the end of nato

[@psycho4207]

@@jasonmorris1645 not really, there wont be a war. And tbh if russia wouldnt have done anything im sure nato would disband soon.BUT now NATO has a new purpose to stand together!

[@pharaon6718]

Germans don't want to do anything with Ukraine, Croats withdraw their soldiers, so what did you said about NATO unity ?! 🤣🤣

[@dominykas_ged]

There are no german military bases in Lithuania. They are lithuanian military bases, hosting german allies. Greetings from Lithuania.

[@master_shifu4208]

Stay strong over there, we have your back 🇩🇰

[@timmm8686]

Yeah, but according to an article from december, Germany is currently, together with lithuania of course, planning to build a German military Base in Lithuania. But i have no idea when that project will be finished

[@danutarzepecka4056]

I don't think Germany is not allowed to have a military. After what happened in 1939.

[@master_shifu4208]

@@danutarzepecka4056 sure they are, just no nukes

[@ExodentalCADAcademyofNorth]

@@danutarzepecka4056 they signed papers after that big incident.... papers lasted for 50 years. They are free now to make nukes, long range bombers, armada of tanks and maybe only no spinning sunshine signs.... yup, and they are very much stigmatized by their past so they choose not to do any of these things....

[@rainerstim]

Lithuania is not in the balkans. How you got access to a military base when you don't know the difference between the balkans and the baltic is beyond me.

[@danutarzepecka4056]

You are right!!!

[@markushuber214]

Most of the US dont know where Germany is so dont wonder they dont know where Lithuania is ^^

[@hartmutwrith3134]

very often they confuse Austria and Australia as well. Let us forgive them.

[@artursbondars7789]

What are You talking? They didn't mention Balkans in this report.

[@WiesoNurMistnamen]

@@artursbondars7789 Read the shownotes

[@seferowastaken]

I really like the German Military Patterns sorry for off topic

[@zigarettengabel9911]

Wir sind an eurer Seite 🇩🇪🇪🇺💪🏻

[@pppsean7185]

Because you lost, twice.

[@jamesshaw3500]

If Germans sent a battalion, it would be mocked for "returning to its past.'

[@eatmeskivys]

Not in the world we live in today. Every country should have the right to defend itself from any foreign aggression like we see in Ukraine. Germany has a proud heritage of Military past albeit maybe for the wrong reasons at certain times but quite welcomed and needed in the NATO alliance.

[@sugarhieroglyph]

I'd rather have a helmet than not.

[@yoyoyoyoyo6714]

Funny how ww2 made the Germans so scary ! The world still respect Prussian military tradition

[@Salazar777]

Of course! And that power is "Responsibility"

[@abrahamsds1277]

that tradition died in 1918 or 1933, today bundeswehr's actual general staff is there in pentagon

[@WiesoNurMistnamen]

let's give them some pickelhaubes

[@roberthenze8600]

but our goverment is not. so thats why the Bundeswehr is now what it is....

[@j.weller6030]

YoYo YoYoYo funny or not, it is no wonder... the courageous people just all died in WW2, the anxious survived, and they and their descendants now make up the current German population. never heared of "German Angst"?

[@vitkomusic6624]

Germany has invested its interests in lithuania. Lithuania does same. Germany is great country...

[@Kund1s]

Lithuania has invested in German military .. we buy stuff from them

[@Tovarishchostdeutsch]

german goverment is still to careful with conflict, because of the history.

[@mathiastemmen5265]

Will you stand in front?

[@Tovarishchostdeutsch]

@@mathiastemmen5265 its not staying in front. The politic is too weak!!!

[@PropperNaughtyGeezer]

That's true, but that's about to change in this moment.

[@TheWalonja]

Or maybe because of its ppl and all the refugees and students they take the responsibility for Germans care so far beyond themselfs

[@alexzrb]

dear CBC, since when is Lithuania in the Balkans?!?!

[@mweskamppp]

Since this is an american channel.

[@CatatonicImperfect]

Wait... Balkan, Baltic... which one's got the kangaroos again? Asian geology is so confusing.

[@coreysletten3848]

You watch. If there's a conflict and Germany joins they'll get blamed for this war too

[@jamesshaw3500]

So true!

[@nouadhiboufishingforce8911]

This is serious when you see major countries moving their armies instead of diplomats is very worrying

[@Old-Dog00]

Germany is not there for NATO. They are protecting their Nord Stream gas lines and nothing more. They are allies with Russia.

[@normalman4762]

@@Old-Dog00 yeah sure buddy what ever you belive germany are nato allies they just dont want wat

[@Old-Dog00]

@@normalman4762 Which is why they are protecting their gas lines.

[@normalman4762]

@@Old-Dog00 they arent but why hurt your economy when russia has not done anything yet if they act germany will

[@Old-Dog00]

@@normalman4762 German has told Washington to pound sands. They do not even answer Biden's calls. You are delusional.

[@mikehunt2805]

"part of NATO's presence in the Balkans in support of Ukraine." quality journalism right there.

[@jameslynch6347]

He clearly said BALTICS not Balkans. CBC is bad but this was an accurate statement.

[@mikehunt2805]

@@jameslynch6347 read the video description.

[@timmy2thamoon492]

@@jameslynch6347 tell how having troops in the NATO troops in the Baltics would support Ukraine?

[@rasosteva]

@@jameslynch6347 Balkans Baltics, Serbia Syria Siberia, its same :D

[@WiesoNurMistnamen]

mailand oder madrid hauptsache italien

[@greatgalaxy2118]

P.S. In WWII Germans learnt the great value of Helmets that saved their life from Russian bullets. Germans are imparting their best knowledge.

[@DesasterdemonDCUOGG]

He said baltics, open your ears

[@daydodog]

great meme

[@gerogemichaels7580]

Germany already sacrificed an entire generation of men fighting Russia, I can understand the hesitation

[@hosh9880]

@ManuelB1b3r bruh tf are you talking about

[@hosh9880]

@ManuelB1b3r Also you are calling him Naziboy even though he is speaking facts?

[@BS-my6qx]

It was four generations...

@ManuelB1b3r because of people like you, germany has a hard time... congratulations... apparently Germans can't do something right in the eyes of some people

[@paladin11C40]

From where I stand, it appears NATO is forward deploying battle groups in case war does break out, they will have an offensive capability all along the Russian border, which is a very smart move.

[@Salazar777]

God bless them all!!!! 💪🏾💪🏾☝🏾

[@danrook5757]

My dad was 16 when he was sucked into the German army in 1941, he was Lithuanian and decided to run to the west

[@mbtopografija9180]

Smart dad, my dad said he wish they were run over by germans army not soviets. He hate soviets and russia so much :D

[@BS-my6qx]

In 1941, no one was drafted for the army at the age of 16... That was 1945...

[@danrook5757]

@@BS-my6qx : In the Baltic states, men were forced to participate. My dad decided to go west while he still could.

[@BS-my6qx]

@@danrook5757 With only 16 years no one was drafted into the Wehrmacht or Waffen SS at the time... To the Reichsarbeitsdienst - yes. Army (Wehrmacht or Waffen SS) - no.

[@modelrailwaynoob]

I met several men who were conscripted into the German army from the East, were captured and put into British uniforms and then fought for the right side.

[@sreyrathany5647]

Keep strong and stand up against them

[@AP-lc5ys]

The helmet case, yes. Funny but quite unfair at the same time. Germany had to change his policy and some laws first before the governance was allowed to give permission for export bigger stuff in this region. In the meantime Germany delivered exactly what Ukraine asked for, helmets, comtec and medical goods, even one or two field lacaretts, afaik.

[@Thisandthat8908]

In hindsight of a few weeks, that initial statement looks shockingly like Apeasement.

[@leeneon854]

UK head of battle group in Estonia Poland, iam glad the German army is back, nothing more said.

[@LordDucarius]

one of my friends was part of this nato unit stationed in lithuania, got out of service 2 months ago tho

[@danmindel638]

German army in Lithuania not for the 1st time, eh.

[@mbtopografija9180]

good

[@fidenemini111]

@al rode Vilnius - not. Kaunas had the office (Kontor) of Hanseatic merchants since 1441 but city was not a part of the League.

[@markushuber214]

But this time they come as friends. Just to remember.

[@robertschweppenhauser9891]

Anything to get peace ✌️

[@jonathanharper9991]

Chris brown the journalist not the singer😂😂

[@jyotirmayamohanty5723]

Let us save GERMANY as the last trump card for the WORST case.

[@Janoip]

The best I can do is send you feminists, soccer hooligans, environmentalists and anti-vaxxers.

[@Hackson21]

Fire💥💥💥

[@haylocktransport6695]

130 kilometers ? That's within Rocket Artillery !

[@danielrojasvasquez6022]

Is that a nice looking german cross I see.

[@maxb5957]

Max was here

[@AP-lc5ys]

A question to the Lithuanians here. Are the german troops really welcome even by the people an lith. army or just by the Governance? I remember when Germany have had send some Patriots and air defence to Turkey incl. some units to serve this systems. Turkey asked for them due the civil war in Syria. In several cities Turks demonstrate against the deployment and even attacked german soldiers.

[@Tigelinus]

I'm glad the new German government changed their position and have been sending considerable amounts of amour to Ukraine for weeks now. They have also contacted German armaments groups asking them to send needed equipment directly to Ukraine.

[@locoman888]

Those German troops will need reinforcements if Russia moves in.

[@jonstainerr5340]

agreed 100%

[@timby2383]

Russia should send some T-34's to Lithuania border to troll the Germans lol

[@Call_me_daddy6]

germany as world weapon builder can enforce a lot

[@Tosse901]

russia will need a whole new country if they "move in" into NATO countries.

[@th3cleaner354]

@@timby2383 Oh Yeah! But now in HD T34- vs Tiger

[@yallahyallah4220]

"interesting" to still see Marder tanks and not the new Puma tanks in use by our Grenadiers.....

[@MMadesen]

It takes time to replace the Marder with the Puma. So the Marder stays in use and is slowly replaced by the Puma

[@yallahyallah4220]

@@MMadesen The Bundeswehr already received 350 Puma tanks, but there are so many problems that they can't be deployed to NATO operations, issues are so severe that 2030 has been given as a target for full combat readyness.... after another 2 billion Euros of costs for updates and repairs... Embarassing for KMW

[@roberthenze8600]

its a running system.

[@minimax9452]

@@roberthenze8600 and were is it running?

[@unclestuka8543]

Nice to see the Panzers are spearheading the defence of the Baltics ( Lithuania ) Bring it on Vlad the Poisonous dwarf. see how you get on against some real opposition !

[@samuelsamenstrang6069]

Giftzwerg?

[@danielcaballito4992]

esta vez llegaron mas tranquilos a lituania...

[@panzerknackerpaul2061]

Peace, no war.

[@pokemon-Go22]

When *Chris Brown* is reporting! Lol🤣 new song please🤣🤣

[@garigari338]

People I don't want to lose life and to be catastrophic world

[@henrysantos121]

We need peace for Russia and Ukraine.🙏.

[@TheCrusty68]

@@raptorgrade5919 why Putin is a dictator

[@kiketve2]

TELL THAT TO PUTIN.

[@Salazar777]

💪🏾💪🏾☝🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙏🏾

[@zunis7896]

That one didnt age well

[@JaredKaiser24]

I didnt know Chris Brown is a part time reporter

[@richbob9155]

Chris Brown is looking different these days.

[@e.mckenna6834]

🙏🙏🙏

[@wunnst]

These are light tanks (not Leopard 2 heavy tanks) I also find the number strange. Today alone I saw at least 60 vehicles heading east

[@its_alex1621]

As far as I know, Germany has let 100 more go.

[@markushuber214]

Nobody said these are Leopard, these tanks are called "Marder"

[@bisakolwasabe8851]

I thought the singer chris brown became a newscaster

[@laszlovandor4770]

Mel Gibson was right : " every single time ! "

[@oldowleye3161]

too late - no pull back - now its more pull in!...

[@emangjos794]

Tentara yang d takuti Rusia

[@rickydejager2525]

I wish

[@christianvillanueva4902]

They are the goodies now😊

[@kekseze3990]

Lithuania is a baltic state, not balkan...

[@semco72057]

Germany need to have more hardware and troops in the region to backup the Ukrainian military after an invasion by Russia.

[@colint7743]

Rubbish !!

[@icast.2388]

Send you family in Ukraine The can fite...

[@greatgalaxy2118]

Germans know how it is like when Russia invades, they gained pretty good knowledge about Russian Invasion in WWII, that half of their country was rulled by Moscow.

[@colint7743]

Rubbish !!

[@asskirk]

Germans are blocking other NATO countries from sending military equipment to Ukraine. Traitors of Europe once again are together with Russia

[@roake0331]

How many panzer battle groups are at the base?

[@P._Nisbroch]

Question from a russian 😅😅

[@abrahamsds1277]

helmet is the protective gear for the head, where the brain is located. i think the germans are trying to make a point here... LOL

[@minimax9452]

😅

[@saschawagner5167]

Perhaps its hard to understand : Germany supoorts Nato. Ukraine ISNT in Nato. What exactly is there to critizie.? Nato is a defensive alience for its members not a packt to provide forced millitary asiance outside of it. And going to shame German soldiers that on Nato politics suport our eastern Members certainly wont make sending anyone there in the future popular. If you want to deescalate the best way would be simply to state Ukraine will never be in Nato.

[@garigari338]

Other countries need to provide because never been provide to make war

[@oscarlibertini7687]

Smart countries that don't want to help NATO countries that helps NATO is like they don't care about their country nor their people

[@allenallen3253]

Iron cross 😳😳😳

[@atenashram105]

when german deploys things are serious

[@Necronkiller]

What happened to the great german steel.

[@eliass6200]

The 21th Centery

[@michaelmitchell3157]

I hope those tanks are Euro 6

[@jobue394]

6+ where are you living ?

[@zarifbajrami454]

RESPEKT GJERMANI

[@reinoldi1097]

2:51 tank with a rucksack/backpack xD

[@Nafets247]

That's the ramp which can be lowered to mount / dismount the six infantry men to / from the troup compartment

[@reinoldi1097]

@@Nafets247 2:51 the last tank ... on the turret, next to the A2 sign, not the ramp. im in the Bundeswehr, i know what that is xD

[@pepsicherry6389]

Russia just waken up The Sleeping Dragon

[@Ibachi07]

How come? In fact, Russia has no significant economy XD!!!

[@francisdec1615]

Dear Americans, Lithuania is a *Baltic* country, not a Balkan one. You should really know that when you're reporters 🙄

[@jenggo4ever]

Helmet..better than nothing

[@RottenFrog]

Chancellor Olaf wants a good sleep with nice dreams for his own. Please don't wake him up!

[@marclawson2536]

What could go wrong!?

[@Diwana71]

All you guys know that Nukes are inbound. Enjoy.

[@thewolfhunter]

Let the Panzers roll..

[@rexngalatin1800]

well if it's ground battle m1 a2 Abrams and leopard2 are better than the t4 and the type 99 anyway maybe there ship outnumbered the NATO but it's made from the finest steels

[@tariqmasud6433]

Canada should pay attention in reducing the gas prices. It's not our war so stay out of it. Learn from Afghanistan. War servers no purpose but more issues and poverty

[@jonlister1981]

Well they been up graded no more brooms🤭🤣

[@marc2397]

The great Germany will be there when needed.

[@temmon8493]

Where's 🇩🇰 & 🇪🇸 naval air support? Russia dare any foreign intervention

[@jacksmack51]

A German tank !!! Really????

[@innerlight7018]

@Bundeswehr Wir sind in Gedanken bei euch!

[@Kai-bj5ol]

Drauf, dran, drüber!

[@jenuilmajulus5586]

👍👍👍

[@fliesendesign790]

Slava Ukraini Herosssss German let Lithuania not Alone

[@Gummibaerchen234]

wow chris brown aged alot since he broke up with rihana

[@sayoutequah]

Chris Brown @Chris Brown

[@jordiegundersen1465]

It is NOT a good idea for Canada and Germany to provide military weapons to Ukraine until a war with Russia has actually started..! Those two countries can help in a minor way without directly challenging Russia.. (You might say Canada & Germany are reserves) This I believe is the best strategy for reasons I wouldn’t disclose….

[@Old-Dog00]

They have not given Ukraine anything.

[@inhocsignovinces1081]

LEO 2 MBT spearheading drive to regain Konisberg (Kaliningrad). If Putin wants Ukraine then Berlin can take the former Prussian capital.

[@sinankolloni6187]

Tanke Deuschlan ,Bundesver.

[@Ray-ce4sn]

If the world give up Ukraine to Putin, next he would ask more. Next he would want Baltic countries or even Poland.

[@loyesluise7621]

Memel is rightful german territory!

[@embreis2257]

you mean by the same logic Putin applied to Ukraine?

[@MrITGuy]

Chris Brown shows some teach me how to doggie

[@petemiller9972]

Russia needs to mellow out, end of message.

[@bensamoa2072]

when did the war start??? why only noise

[@havoc7154]

Europe at it again with wars.

[@ginNjus]

What's the point?? Rather toothless.

[@dennisstafford1749]

The NATO forces there might have to beg Ukraine for help. Small force for show not deterrence.

[@vitkomusic6624]

600 hundred personnel might not be much. But of they are tanks. Its 200 tanks... That's plenty

[@dennisstafford1749]

@@vitkomusic6624 looking at the size of the Russian/Belarussian force just in Belarus (not counting Kaliningrad)---no it is not large enough. Happy for the 600 but NATO needs to strengthen its prescence on Eastern European Borders.

[@laszlovandor4770]

Putting NATO troops on Russia's border is not provocation, but Russia on Ukrainian border is ????

[@hanselmusjehamat8107]

All nato not only komentar.not only speak must many struggle

[@cherrybaylon9737]

Stop this war! there are many hungry and starving people who need help. This war is beneficial only for blind egoistic patriots. It is hard to heal. There is much depression and starvation in the world.

[@anti-sjwandsjwannoysme6603]

1:11 Chris Brown: She want that lovey-dovey (Lovey-dovey) That kiss, kiss (Kiss, kiss) In her mind she fantasize 'bout gettin' with me They hatin' on me (Hatin' on me)