Lithuania this week marked the 35th anniversary of the January 13th events, a brutal crackdown on pro-independence demonstrators by Soviet forces in 1991. Fourteen civilians were killed and hundreds injured as they peacefully defended key government buildings in Vilnius, a tragedy that galvanized international support for Lithuania’s sovereignty. the anniversary serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom and, in light of current geopolitical realities, a renewed call for vigilance in safeguarding democratic values. Commemorations took place across the country, with leaders and citizens alike reflecting on the enduring significance of that pivotal moment in Lithuanian history.
Lithuania commemorated the 35th anniversary of the tragic events of January 13, 1991, a pivotal moment in the country’s fight for independence from Soviet rule. The day marks a violent crackdown by Soviet forces on civilians defending key Lithuanian institutions, resulting in 14 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The events remain a potent symbol of Lithuania’s struggle for self-determination and continue to resonate in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe.
During a commemorative event at the Seimas, Lithuania’s parliament, President Gitanas Nausėda emphasized the importance of unity and tolerance within a free society. He stated, “In all matters, we will never find common ground – we will argue about how to best govern the country, how to distribute limited resources, how to solve new problems. This too is an expression of our freedom. As long as we are united by our love for Lithuania, we can endure and forgive much of one another. As long as we are united by our love for Lithuania, we can rely on one another.”
Robert Povilaitis, son of Apolinaras Povilaitis, one of those killed defending Lithuania’s freedom, delivered a poignant speech stressing that those who died on January 13, 1991, were not defending buildings, but the fundamental rights to think, speak, hear, and learn freely. He also warned of threats to democracy, stating, “When political rhetoric begins to seek enemies instead of solutions, when hatred and social division are normalized, there is no longer diversity of opinion. That is a threat to democracy. When hate mongers come to power, the country begins to be destroyed from within.” Povilaitis added that January 13th carries a responsibility for Lithuanian society to remain vigilant not only against external aggression, but also against the erosion of democratic principles.
“Today, they want to make national media convenient – one that doesn’t ask uncomfortable questions. When public media becomes convenient for politicians, it ceases to be public,” he warned.
January 13, 1991, remains the most tragic date in modern Lithuanian history.
Unarmed civilians were killed defending strategic objects in Lithuania as Soviet army special forces opened fire on them and ran over them with tanks at the Vilnius TV tower.
Footage of the Soviet military’s actions quickly spread around the world, sparking international condemnation. It is widely believed that the strong international response, along with reactions from liberal circles within Russia at the time, prompted those responsible to halt the full implementation of their plans.
“People linked arms and encircled the fence, thinking – no, they won’t drive tanks over us. We would hold on! I still remember the gray eyes of the tank driver who drove at us. Of course, we all scattered in all directions,” recalled Dalė Žižauskienė, describing the horror of that evening.
Medical personnel worked tirelessly throughout the night of January 13th to treat the wounded and those crushed by Soviet tanks. Among them was Irena Degutienė, a former Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas who served as a doctor during the barricades. “We saw nothing but blood, tears, screams, and doors constantly being carried through with the injured. The injuries were very diverse. I saw Loreta Asanavičiūtė, one of the 14 victims. She was the only girl; the rest who died were boys. A tank had run over her legs. The girl was in shock and was still able to speak. And I remember her crying mother, who was also there. There was a sea of the injured, and everyone was brought from the TV tower. I cannot put those feelings into words.”
During the Soviet special forces attack, one member of the OMON, a Soviet paramilitary unit, was also killed by friendly fire, Degutienė added. “The OMON came to look for him, but he was already gone. We hid him as ‘material evidence.’ Now, some demagogues in Lithuania claim that their own people shot at their own people. The bullet removed from the Omon officer’s body proves that this was not the case – it’s a lie. The defenders of freedom had no weapons.”
The Soviet regime authorized the operation because the Kremlin did not want to let go of the Baltic states, which had already declared their independence in 1990. The Soviet Union, in its death throes, was trying to prevent its collapse.
“You will not go anywhere, you will not leave anywhere. You are a civilized people. Savages can do something there, understand. You will not leave! Your conscience will ultimately not allow you,” declared Mikhail Gorbachev, then President of the USSR.
In the latter half of the 1990s, the USSR had initiated a so-called special operation to create alarm, with the aim of establishing direct rule by Mikhail Gorbachev. Of the three Baltic states seeking freedom, Lithuania received the harshest punishment for refusing to revoke its declaration of independence.
Hardline communists and leaders of the Soviet security forces are considered the main instigators of the tragedy. Numerous legal proceedings have taken place in Lithuania regarding these tragic events. However, bringing those involved to justice is complicated by their residence in Russia.
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