In mid-February, just after the celebrations of February 16, someone vandalized the statue of King Mindaugas near the Lithuanian National Museum with red paint, inscribing the phrase 'Вільня наша' (Vilnius is ours). This act of vandalism follows a similar incident that occurred the previous Friday at the monument to Vincas Kudirka, the author of the Lithuanian national anthem. Such provocative inscriptions in Belarusian are not uncommon in Vilnius, having previously been reported on various buildings and structures throughout the city.

The choice to target important historical monuments of Lithuania raises concerns about the motivations behind these acts. They are not isolated incidents, as residents found similar graffiti on a building on Totorių street, which commemorates Martynas Kutka, a significant figure linked to the printing of the Lithuanian newspaper 'Vilniaus žinios' from 1906 to 1921. The plaque on this building also details the printing of the declaration of independence for Lithuania on February 16, 1918. The connection of these acts to key events and figures in Lithuanian history suggests an ongoing struggle over national narrative and identity amidst rising tensions.

This pattern of vandalism reflects broader themes of nationalism and identity within the region, especially given the political dynamics with Belarus. The use of the Belarusian language in these inscriptions could indicate an attempt to provoke discomfort or challenge narratives of Lithuanian sovereignty in a historically contentious area. Such actions will likely reignite discussions about cultural heritage preservation and the ongoing dialogue about national identity in Lithuania, particularly in the context of its relationship with neighboring countries.