The statue of King Mindaugas in Vilnius, Lithuania, was defaced with a provocative inscription in Belarusian reading "Вільня наша" ("Vilnius is ours") following the Restoration of the State Day. The incident came to light when a photograph of the vandalized statue was shared on a local problem-reporting app, tvarkaumiesta.lt, without any accompanying comments. The photo was uploaded on the evening of February 17, and the Vilnius City Municipality confirmed the authenticity of the vandalism, stating that the graffiti was removed by February 18 around noon.

The motivation behind the vandalism remains unclear, with no suspects identified as the area lacks surveillance cameras. City representatives indicated that if any visual evidence were available to pinpoint the responsible individual, an investigation would be launched. However, without such evidence, the prospects of identifying the culprit are dim. This incident reflects ongoing tensions surrounding national identity and territorial claims, particularly involving Belarusian cultural expressions within Lithuania.

Vandalism of public monuments can often evoke strong reactions and lead to broader discussions about historical figures and their significance. In this case, the inscription raises questions about national identity and the sentiment among some Belarusian groups regarding Vilnius, a city with a complex shared history. The swift action by local authorities to remove the graffiti indicates a desire to maintain public order and uphold the integrity of national symbols within the urban landscape.