In a historic move, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have severed their last electricity connections with Russia and Belarus, marking the end of decades of reliance on the Soviet-era power grid. On Saturday morning, the Baltic nations disconnected from the Russian-linked system, setting the stage for a complete integration with the European energy network on Sunday.
This shift, years in the making, carries deep geopolitical and symbolic weight. The decision was expedited after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which further strained Moscow’s relations with the European Union. As Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda put it, the disconnection represents the physical end of the region’s dependence on Russian and Belarusian energy.
To commemorate the moment, a special event will be held on Sunday, with a 9-meter-tall clock in downtown Vilnius counting down the final seconds before the disconnection becomes permanent. EU leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, are expected to attend the ceremony.
The Baltic countries had already dismantled 16 power lines that once connected them to Russia and Belarus. The final transmission lines are set to be switched off on Saturday, following a process that included the creation of new links to the European grid, including underwater cables in the Baltic Sea.
For the next 24 hours, the Baltic Power System will operate in “island mode,” isolated from external grids. On Sunday, the system will be fully integrated with the Continental European and Nordic grids, linking with Finland, Sweden, and Poland.
Though the Baltic states notified Russia and Belarus of the planned disconnection months ago, tensions remain high. With their shared 1,633-kilometer border with Russia and Belarus, the region is still on alert for any potential retaliation. In response, some citizens in Estonia have reportedly been purchasing backup generators in preparation.
This move solidifies the Baltic nations’ commitment to European energy independence and deepens their integration within the EU, all while symbolizing their defiance of Moscow’s influence.
Power grid energy electricity powerline: Picture from Stockcake
