The Lithuanian State Security Department (VSD) says there can be provocations and violent incidents on May 9, when Russians celebrate victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.
According to the intelligence agency, Victory Day commemorations will most likely be held at burial sites of Soviet soldiers across Lithuania.
“It cannot be ruled out that provocations or violent incidents may occur during these events,” the VSD has said in a comment to BNS.
Victory Day commemorations are organised every year on May 9 in various Lithuanian cities and towns by Russian diplomats together with Russian expatriates.
These events are usually attended by several hundred people. Some of them wear Saint George’s ribbons, symbols of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. However, the Lithuanian parliament is planning to outlaw it, since Saint George’s ribbons have also been used as signs of support for Russia’s war against Ukraine.
If the legislation is passed, wearing the black and orange ribbons and displaying the “Z” symbol, another pro-Russian sign, will be punishable by law.
The intelligence agency says that some organised efforts can be expected in the run-up to May 9, noting that demonstrations in support of Russia’s war in Ukraine are already held in some EU countries.
Propaganda
The VSD has said that some prominent pro-Kremlin figures and fictitious social media accounts are sharing the Russian government’s propaganda, posting and spreading false information.
“This includes messages that oppose the blocking of Russian TV channels and sensitivity to sanctions on Russian banks,” it said in the comment.
“At the same time, we have seen attempts to systematically disseminate negative information about war refugees from Ukraine and to antagonise the Lithuanian population against them,” the agency said.
Police monitor ‘public space’
Ramūnas Matonis, spokesman for the Police Department, has told BNS that officers are also constantly monitoring “processes” in the country.
“The police are constantly analysing what is happening in the public space, what processes are taking place in the country, and, obviously, what is happening all over the world, and what draft legislation is under discussion in the parliament,” he said.
The police will be ready to ensure public order during the May 9 events, Matonis assured.
“Given the ongoing war in Ukraine, it is likely that more opponents will gather,” he said. “The police are and will be constantly assessing this and will be ready to enforce public order.”
Municipal officials in Vilnius and Klaipėda have told BNS that municipal authorities do not issue permits for events in cemeteries, noting that no one has yet requested permits for May 9 events in other places.
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