Reuters reports.Concerned about Russia’s massive military spending since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the three Baltic states are developing plans for the possible evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people in case of a Russian force buildup or attack.Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have long expressed concerns to other NATO countries about potential Russian aggression, citing Russian cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and incursions by Russian fighter jets and drones in recent months.Russia claims it has no plans to attack NATO. However, these three countries, which were annexed by Moscow during World War II, have doubled their defense spending following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, despite repeated Russian denials of any such plan.“Threats can take many forms,” said Renatas Požela, head of Lithuania’s fire service, who is involved in emergency planning efforts that were strengthened after the three countries agreed on civil protection cooperation in May.Details on the number of potential evacuees that officials are preparing for have been reported for the first time.Požela suggested that it is possible they could see a powerful army along the Baltic borders, seemingly aiming to capture all three countries within three days or a week.Officials interviewed by Reuters said that the emergency plan, still largely secret, is being developed for a much larger number of people.About half of those living within 40 km of the Russian and Belarusian borders — roughly 400,000 people — are likely to be evacuated.The western city of Kaunas plans to accommodate 300,000 people in schools, universities, Catholic churches, and an arena where Robbie Williams and Roger Waters recently performed. Similar efforts are underway in other cities.According to a fire service representative, assembly points, including in Vilnius, have already been selected, trains and buses assigned, and supplies such as toilet paper and camp beds are being stored in warehouses.Those evacuating by car will be directed onto secondary roads to keep main routes clear for incoming military forces, and a map already exists showing the cities where they can seek shelter.None of the three Baltic countries has detailed plans to move anyone beyond their borders.Estonia is preparing plans to relocate one-tenth of its 1.4 million population to temporary shelters, while many others will likely stay with relatives.Two-thirds of the 50,000-strong Russian-speaking city of Narva are expected to relocate, with the government assisting at least half of them.Latvia estimates that one-third of its 1.9 million population could leave their homes, according to Ivars Nakurts, deputy head of Latvia’s State Fire and Rescue Service.