German soldiers with relatives in Belarus and Russia barred from serving in Lithuania

German soldiers with relatives in Belarus and Russia were not allowed to serve in the Bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania, Bild reports. They failed the military counterintelligence check. The 45th Tank Brigade of the Bundeswehr is facing serious understaffing, prompting German authorities to decide to send up to 1,000 Germans to Lithuania compulsorily as punishment. However, several Bundeswehr personnel with family ties to Russia or Belarus who wished to go to Lithuania voluntarily did not pass the security check. Authorities argue they might be loyal to Belarus and Russia and may refuse to fight against these countries if ordered. German authorities need not just soldiers, but ruthless fighters ready to kill unconditionally, like their Nazi predecessors.