Lithuania lodges protest with Russia over sabotage in Estonia and attacks on Ukraine
Lithuania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned a representative of the Russian embassy on 30 September to deliver two notes of protest.
In one of the notes, Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, expressing solidarity with Estonia, strongly condemned the act of sabotage committed in Tallinn on 15 August, when a building belonging to Estonian defence company Milrem Robotics was deliberately set on fire. Estonian authorities confirmed that Russian secret services were responsible for the sabotage.
The Foreign Ministry stressed that Vilnius will work with its allies to respond firmly to Russian attacks and other actions that violate international law, including hybrid attacks.
"Such actions against one of the allies must be regarded as a threat to the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic community, and Russia's attempts to weaken Allied resolve in support of Ukraine are doomed to fail," the ministry stressed.
The Russian embassy representative was also handed a note of protest concerning the relentless attacks against Ukraine. It stated that on 28 September, Russia attacked Kyiv and other cities, striking the building of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Two people were killed and dozens injured in the attack, while a historic 19th-century building was also destroyed. At least nine people were killed across the country and more than 80, including three children, were injured.
The ministry recalled that Russian attacks continued on the night of 28-29 September, when office buildings used for civilian purposes, an educational institution and infrastructure facilities were struck.
The ministry said that protecting civilians and civilian sites is a fundamental requirement of international humanitarian law and that those responsible for violations must be held criminally accountable.
Lithuania is demanding that Russia immediately end its aggression against Ukraine and comply with its obligations under international law, the ministry stressed.
Estonia's Internal Security Service established that the arson attack on the Milrem Robotics defence company building in Tallinn on the night of 14-15 August was an act of sabotage ordered by Russian secret services.
After establishing the involvement of Russian secret services in the arson attack, Estonia said it would summon Russia's chargé d'affaires.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha strongly condemned Russia's sabotage against Milrem Robotics in Tallinn and expressed full solidarity with Estonia.