In the capital of Lithuania, a protest took place on May 9th near the Antakalnis Cemetery, aimed at countering the idealization of the Soviet era and the romanticization of the occupation regime. As reported by Delfi, the event was organized by the international charity fund “Old Dragons” and activist Mantas Kisieliauskas to challenge local celebrations held by the Russian community.
The protest underscored the stark divide between those attempting to maintain Kremlin-sponsored narratives and a Baltic society committed to historical truth. Activists emphasized that memory must be grounded in respect for victims rather than the glorification of totalitarian regimes. The protesters even distributed toilet paper featuring the image of the Russian dictator, a provocative gesture reflecting public sentiment against the influence of the “Russian World.”
This incident reflects a broader trend in the Baltic states. Authorities in Lithuania have consistently taken a hard line against Russian hybrid influence, including the prohibition of the “St. George’s ribbon” — a symbol now synonymous with the invasion of Ukraine. During the demonstration, law enforcement officers detained an individual displaying this banned symbol, highlighting a zero-tolerance policy toward Kremlin propaganda.
For Lithuania, dismantling Soviet-era monuments and suppressing related propaganda is essential for security. By rejecting the symbols of the past, the country is actively distancing itself from the revisionist history used by Moscow to justify its ongoing war of aggression. While the Kremlin tries to maintain its ideological grip on the diaspora, the rest of Europe increasingly views such displays as threats to democratic stability. The message from the streets of Vilnius is clear: the romanticization of a bloody past has no place in a modern, sovereign European nation.