Darius Jauniškis

Darius Jauniškis (born 14 January 1968) is a Lithuanian officer, who served as Director General of the State Security Department of Lithuania from 2015 until 2025.

Biography Jauniškis was born in Vilnius, Lithuania. He graduated from Vilnius Pedagogical Institute in 2005 with a degree in economics, and then studied at the Baltic Defence College in Tartu in 2006 before studying at the United States Army War College in Pennsylvania, USA. Jauniškis has taken preventative measures against Russian espionage and activity in the country since 2015, being extremely public with statements calling for civilians to be more aware of Russian espionage attempts in the country. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Jauniškis was ranked as one of the most influential figures in Lithuania. In 2023, Jauniškis stated that Belarusian espionage in Lithuania was at "an all-time high". He cited the intensification in espionage was due to Russia's frustration with a longer war in Ukraine and high number of Belarusian immigrants.

In March 2024, Jauniškis accused Russia of targeting Russian dissident Leonid Volkov, who was attacked in Lithuania. Later that month, Jauniškis was implicated in a controversy after reports emerged of the State Security Department spying on President Gitanas Nausėda's voter base, possibly assisting him in his campaign for election.

On 18 April 2025, Jauniškis was appointed as Lithuania's permanent representative to NATO, replacing Deividas Matulionis. He presented his credentials to Secretary General Mark Rutte on 29 April 2025.