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Lithuanian SSR
Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (Lietuvos Tarybų Socialistinė Respublika, Литовская Советская Социалистическая Республика) was a soviet republic located on the coast of the Baltic Sea, and a part of the Greater Soviet Union.
History
Lithuanian SSR was founded in 1940 during the Soviet Occupation. It was briefly occupied by Nazi Germany, before retaken by Soviets. It only regained it's independence in 1991 alongside Latvian SSR and Estonian SSR following Singing Revolution.
January 1991
Unlike it's sister states, Lithuania suffered much more greatly during the events of 1991 January. In particular many yet remember the events that took place near Vilnius TV Tower. 14 protesters were killed, alongside at least 140 injured. For two days Soviet Army had been seizing various strategic locations around Vilnius - government buildings, broadcast stations and local police headquarters. Around 00:00 on 13th of January 1991, a column of Soviet Army vehicles (including MTBs and IFVs but not limited to) are seen heading towards Vilnius TV Tower. Upon arrival the tanks started firing blank rounds to scare protesters off, to little effect. Within half an hour, the column has spread out and encircled the tower. It is unclear why, but around 01:50 Soviets began firing live rounds over the crowd. 12 protestors are shot, 2 are crushed by a tank and a Soviet KGB Alpha Group soldier is killed in a friendly-fire incident from a ricocheting bullet. Following the massacre Soviet BMPs loudspeakers begin to air the following message.
"Broliai lietuviai, nacionalistų ir separatistų vyriausybė, kuri priešpastatė save liaudžiai, nuversta. Eikite pas savo tėvus, vaikus!"
"Brother Lithuanians! The nationalist and separatist government, which confronted the people has been overthrown! Go home to your parents and children!"
Around 02:00 live fire is opened on the building and breached by Soviet forces in following minutes. Last frames of the live broadcast show a Soviet soldier running up to the camera and turning it off. Around 02:30 in a desperate attempt, a small studio from Vilnius broadcasts the events as far as anyone can reach, warning of what can happen to those that resists. Reportedly several university professors rushed to the studio at the middle of the night to assist in broadcasting in as many languages as possible. A unidentified Swedish news outlet did pick up the broadcast and spread the word further. The news of what had taken place by the TV Tower sent a shockwave through the Baltics, and started what is often referred as "Barricade Days". In the morning there were between 25'000 to 50'000 protesters gathered around remaining strategic objectives in Vilnius. Whereas in Latvian SSR polices forces, work collectives and factories had sent people and resources to enforce their own important objectives and protect them from Soviet forces if need be.
