Here's a story that few outside Lithuania know.
It took place during the first year of independence, spring of 1990 until the collapse of the USSR in late 1991.
It's a story about the cost of standing up to russia.
It's a story about our first humble border checkpoints.
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It took place during the first year of independence, spring of 1990 until the collapse of the USSR in late 1991.
It's a story about the cost of standing up to russia.
It's a story about our first humble border checkpoints.
👇
After Lithuania officially declared independence from the USSR in March 1990, it needed to establish its status as an independent state by creating border checkpoints.
The first ones looked like the one in the photo above: just a little trailer house with a few officers.
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The first ones looked like the one in the photo above: just a little trailer house with a few officers.
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The job of a customs officer in Lithuania was one of the most dangerous ones in those days.
As soon as border checkpoints appeared, the soviet special forces OMON started attacking them constantly.
Many checkpoints were burned, blown up, officers beaten unconscious, robbed...
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As soon as border checkpoints appeared, the soviet special forces OMON started attacking them constantly.
Many checkpoints were burned, blown up, officers beaten unconscious, robbed...
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intiminated, even murdered.
In total, there were 18 attacks on border checkpoints, with 60 officers injured (some very seriously) and 1 found murdered.
Finally, in July 1991, half a year before the USSR collapsed, the most terrifying attack took place in Medininkai checkpoint.
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In total, there were 18 attacks on border checkpoints, with 60 officers injured (some very seriously) and 1 found murdered.
Finally, in July 1991, half a year before the USSR collapsed, the most terrifying attack took place in Medininkai checkpoint.
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At around 4 am, the border checkpoint was attacked by 4 OMON militiamen with guns.
Out of 8 officers on duty at the time, 6 died on the spot, the 7th died later in hospital.
And one miraculously survived a point-blank shot in the head.
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Out of 8 officers on duty at the time, 6 died on the spot, the 7th died later in hospital.
And one miraculously survived a point-blank shot in the head.
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Funeral of the victims of Medininkai massacre in Vilnius, 1991.
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Medininkai border checkpoint today.
Lest we forget.
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Lest we forget.
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Despite the near-fatal injury and brain damage, the only survivor of the massacre Tomas Šernas slowly recovered his ability to see and talk.
He was left disabled, without the ability to walk.
After recovering, he graduated from Theological studies in Klaipėda university...
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He was left disabled, without the ability to walk.
After recovering, he graduated from Theological studies in Klaipėda university...
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...and was later elected as General Superintendent of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Lithuania.
Today, he warns Europe 🇪🇺 that it should learn from this story because, even though it happened decades ago, russia it still the same.
What was the outcome?
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Today, he warns Europe 🇪🇺 that it should learn from this story because, even though it happened decades ago, russia it still the same.
What was the outcome?
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The USSR collapsed later in 1991, and the attacks finally ended.
Out of the 4 killers, only 1 is serving life sentence because he later became citizen of Latvia.
The other 3 are citizens of russia and it refuses to extradite them.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_OM…
Out of the 4 killers, only 1 is serving life sentence because he later became citizen of Latvia.
The other 3 are citizens of russia and it refuses to extradite them.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_OM…
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