Lithuania authorities do not participate in events dedicated to the 61st anniversary of the victory over fascism

The solemn ceremony of laying wreaths and flowers to the memorial to the Soviet soldiers, which fell in the Great Patriotic War, was held today in the capital of Lithuania in the Antakalnsky cemetery. Its organizers are the embassies of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan in Vilnius, as well as the Lithuanian organization of veterans who fought on the side of the forces of the anti -Hitler coalition.

Representatives of the official authorities of Lithuania in this event, as in other similar ones, did not participate. More than 10 thousand people came to honor the memory of Lithuania Liberators: residents and guests of the capital, veterans, members of their families, representatives of left -wing organizations, youth. On the territory of Lithuania in battles with the Nazis, more than 80 thousand Soviet military personnel died, ITAR-TASS reports.

“For us, the Lithuanian veterans of the Great Patriotic War, the day of victory over fascism is not only a joyful holiday, but also sadness for those who gave their lives to the front -line comrades,” the head of the Vilnius veteran organization Kostas Banyavichus said at a rally at the memorial. He thanked Russia, "which provides them with material and moral assistance, which cannot be said about the authorities of Lithuania."

On the eve of May 9, veterans were honored at the Russian Drama Theater of the capital of Lithuania. Thanks to the efforts of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Vilnius, a festive concert with the participation of art masters was given.