Lithuania will observe Europe Day on May 9, with the police saying they are closely monitoring activities relating to the Victory Day events in Russia.
“As May 9 approaches, police are deploying additional forces, monitoring online platforms, drafting tactical plans and preparing to ensure public safety at the various events,” Tomas Bražėnas, spokesperson for Vilnius County Police Headquarters, told the ELTA news wire.
May 9 is celebrated in Russia as Victory Day against fascism. However, Lithuanian authorities mark Europe Day on the same day, as the end of the Second World War resulted in the 50-year occupation of the Baltic states by the Soviet Union.
Some members of the public, as well as part of the Russian minority, mark Victory Day in Lithuania by visiting the graves of Soviet soldiers. There have previously been conflicts at the Soviet memorial sites.
“Police will patrol and monitor key locations likely to attract attention on the day, including Antakalnis Cemetery,” Bražėnas said in reference to the main site of Soviet graves in the Lithuanian capital.
“At present, no indications of planned provocations have been detected,” he added.
Intelligence service warns of risks
The country’s intelligence service, the State Security Department (VSD), warned on Wednesday of a heightened risk of sabotage, provocations and information attacks on May 9.
According to the VSD, the Kremlin has intensified radical rhetoric targeting Lithuania and the other Baltic states.
In addition to long-running accusations of rewriting history and rehabilitating Nazism, there has been a rise in open calls for military action against the Baltics, the VSD said in a statement.
The VSD also noted that the Russian regime has been actively producing and distributing literature reflecting the Kremlin's official historical narrative, including works related to Lithuanian history.
Attempts have been made to distribute some of these publications within Lithuania.
Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russian intelligence services have carried out acts of sabotage and vandalism surrounding the Victory Day events. Moscow also tried to portray its operations as actions by alleged grassroots groups opposed to the Lithuanian government.
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