Lithuania will restore compulsory military service for young men as tensions in Ukraine continue to worry the small Baltic nation, the government said Tuesday.

After a meeting of military leaders and top government officials, President Dalia Grybauskaite said the measure was necessary because of “growing aggression” in Ukraine.

Military officials said Lithuania will reinstate national service for five years starting in September, when it will enlist some 3,000 men, ages 19 to 27. They will serve for nine months….

“The geopolitical situation has changed (and) the professional (military) service does not receive as many soldiers as Lithuania needs,” [defense chief Gen. Jonas Vytautas] Zukas said. “The lack of soldiers is critical and poses a real threat to national security.”

Image: Soldiers from Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Motorised Infantry Battalion, Dec. 31, 2001 (photo: Lithuanian Defense Ministry)