Jan
13

Lithuania is commemorating a day of Freedom defenders. 18 years ago the Soviet troops – the Pskov division and the KGB elite Alfa Special Forces attempted to crush the newly reborn Lithuanian state. Some died from the shot wounds; the Soviet tanks crushed some. In total 14 peaceful civilian freedom defenders lost their lives, hundreds more wounded.
The January 13 events are deeply ingrained in the Lithuanian’s hearts. I would place this date to one of the most important events in the Lithuanian history. I would call it Lithuania’s ‘Winter War’, which came some 50 years later. Same like the Fins in 1939 decided to fight with the much larger enemy despite the fears that the Soviets swiftly will crush the resistance.












































