Monument to Soviet soldiers in Kelmė smeared with red paint

A monument to Soviet soldiers in Tytuvenai, a small town in the central Lithuanian district of Kelme, has been smeared with red paint, the Police Department said.

A pre-trial investigation has been opened into the act of vandalism that was reported on Wednesday morning, according to the police.

Monuments in Palanga, Neringa, Visaginas, Ukmerge and several other Lithuanian towns have been vandalized with paint since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine.

In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in late February, the Culture Ministry loosened the rules on Soviet monuments, prompting efforts to review and remove Soviet symbols from public spaces across Lithuania.

Monuments to Soviet soldiers have been taken down by Kaunas, Kedainiai, Varena, Palanga, Marijampole, Raseiniai and some other municipalities.