MOSCOW, Russia — In a brazen act of vandalism, unidentified individuals splashed red paint on the entrance doors of Lithuania’s embassy in Moscow, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry reported on Monday.
The incident has further strained the already tense diplomatic relations between the two countries.
According to the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, four masked individuals were observed defacing the embassy’s entrance with red paint.
Videos shared by media outlets displayed the aftermath, with several red handprints on the embassy sign and pools of red paint at the base of the entrance doors of the diplomatic mission located in central Moscow.
The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry responded swiftly, lodging a formal protest with Andrei Gasiuk, a counsellor at the Russian Embassy in Vilnius.
The protest highlighted the apparent negligence of Russian authorities in preventing the vandalism. Eyewitnesses and security footage indicated that Russian police officers, stationed to guard the embassy, did not intervene during the attack.
“The failure of Russian law enforcement to act in accordance with diplomatic protocols is unacceptable,” a statement from the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry read.
“Such actions not only violate international diplomatic norms but also signify a troubling disregard for the safety and security of foreign diplomatic missions.”
The motives behind the vandalism remain unclear, and no group or individual has claimed responsibility for the act. However, the context of Lithuania’s staunch support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia provides a possible backdrop for the incident.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Lithuania has been an outspoken ally of Ukraine, imposing sanctions on Russia and offering substantial support to the Ukrainian government.
In April 2022, Lithuania took significant diplomatic steps against Russia, recalling its ambassador, expelling the Russian ambassador, and downgrading its diplomatic ties. This strong stance has likely contributed to the current atmosphere of hostility.
The attack on the Lithuanian embassy in Moscow is not an isolated incident. In April of this year, the Russian Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, was targeted in an arson attack.
A Lithuanian citizen was subsequently arrested on charges of property damage, a crime that carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.
The Lithuanian government has called on Russia to uphold its international obligations to protect foreign diplomatic missions. “We expect the Russian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice,” the ministry’s statement emphasized.
This latest incident adds another layer of complexity to the already fraught relations between Lithuania and Russia.
The ongoing geopolitical tensions have manifested in various forms of diplomatic and civilian confrontations, reflecting the broader discord stemming from the conflict in Ukraine.
As the investigation continues, both nations will likely face increased diplomatic friction, underscoring the fragile state of international relations in the region.
The Lithuanian embassy has reinforced its security measures, and officials remain vigilant for any further acts of aggression.
While the perpetrators of the vandalism remain unidentified, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatile environment in which diplomatic missions operate, particularly in regions experiencing heightened political and military conflicts.