Fallen - January 13 - By Virgis Dromantas

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Image Title: Fallen - January 13

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By: Virgis Dromantas
Copyright ©2007

View Photo Gallery of Virgis Dromantas click HERE

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Photographer	Virgis Dromantas {Karma:4212}
Project	#40 Street Photography	Camera Model	Fuji
Categories	Journalism	Film Format
Portfolio		Lens	\
Uploaded	1/13/2007	Film / Memory Type	\
		ISO / Film Speed
Views	1292	Shutter
Favorites	0	Aperture	f/
Critiques	20	Rating	6.62 / 5 Ratings
Location	City - State - Country - Lithuania
About	On January 8-9, 1991, several special Soviet military units were flown to Lithuania (including the famous counter terrorist Alpha Group and paratroopers of the 76th Airborne Division of the VDV based at Pskov) with an explanation that this was needed to ensure constitutional order and effectiveness of laws of Lithuanian SSR and Soviet Union. On January 10 president of Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev issued an ultimatum-like request addressing the Supreme Council, demanding restoration of the constitution of the USSR in Lithuania and the revocation of all anti-constitutional laws. He mentioned a military intervention to be possible within days; when Lithuanian officials required Moscow's guarantee not to send armed troops, Gorbachev did not reply. January 13, 1991, Vilnius 01:25 – On arrival to the vicinity of TV tower, tanks started to fire empty rounds. 01:50 – Tanks and soldiers encircled TV tower. Soldiers fired live ammunition overhead and into civilian crowds gathered around TV tower building and tanks were driving straight through lines of people. There were 14 people killed in this attack: most of them with shot wounds, several – crushed by tanks. One Soviet paratrooper (Viktor Shatskikh) was killed by friendly fire. 02:00 – BMPs and tanks surrounded Radio and Television Committee building. Soldiers were firing live ammunition into the building overhead of civilian crowds. Live television broadcast was terminated. Last pictures transmitted from there were Soviet soldier running towards camera and eventually switching it of. Following these two attacks large crowds (20 000 during night, more than 50 000 in the morning) of independence supporters were gathered around Supreme Council building. People started building anti-tank barricades and setting up for defense inside surrounding buildings. Provisional chapels were setup inside and outside of Supreme Council building. People were praying, singing and shouting pro-independence slogans. Despite columns of military trucks, BMPs and tanks moving into the vicinity of Supreme Council, Soviet military commanders receded an attack. List of victims: Out of the victims, thirteen people (on the Lithuanian side) were killed by the Soviet army, one person had died at the place of the events due to heart attack and one Soviet soldier was killed by friendly fire. All the victims, except that soldier, were awarded the Order of the Cross of Vytis (the Knight) on January 15, 1991. Loreta Asanavičiūtė (b. 1967) - the only female victim. She worked as a seamstress in a factory. Died in a hospital after she fell under a tank. Noted for her shy character, she became the most famous victim. Virginijus Druskis (b. 1969) - a student at Kaunas University of Technology. Was shot in the chest. Darius Gerbutavičius (b. 1973) - a student at a vocational school. Was shot five times (legs, arms, and back). Rolandas Jankauskas (b. 1969) - a student. He was hit by an explosive device in the face. His mother is a native Russian from Altai Krai. Rimantas Juknevičius (b. 1966) - a senior at Kaunas University of Technology. He was shot. Alvydas Kanapinskas (b. 1952) - a worker at Kėdainiai biochemy factory. He was shot. Algimantas Petras Kavoliukas (b. 1939) - a butcher at a grocery store. He was wounded by a rubber bullet on January 11, 1991, when he protested against the Soviet troops by the Press House. He was hit by a tank. According to some witnesses, he was the first victim that night. Vytautas Koncevičius (b. 1941) - a shopman. Died about a month after the attacks in hospital from a bullet wound. He was born in Siberia, to an exiled Lithuanian family. Vidas Maciulevičius (b. 1966) - a locksmith. Died from bullet wounds to the face, neck and spine. Titas Masiulis (b. 1962) - Kaunas resident who was shot in the chest. Alvydas Matulka (b. 1955) - Rokiškis resident who died from a heart attack. Apolinaras Juozas Povilaitis (b. 1937) - a metalworker at an institute. Death from bullet wounds to the heart, right lung, upper arm, and thigh. Viktor Viktorovich Shatskikh (b. 1961) - a Soviet soldier. He died from a ricochet bullet shot by his fellow soldier inside the TV tower. Ignas Šimulionis (b. 1973) - a high school student, friend of Gerbutavičius. Was shot in the head. Vytautas Vaitkus (b. 1943) - a plumber at a meat plant. Died from bullet wounds to the chest.

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There are 20 Comments in 1 Pages
1

Jinggoy Montenejo {K:7736} 2/7/2007

Hi Virgis, very good documentary and photojournalistic approach to this image. These things just don't make sense at lot of times and it's up to the living to keep the memories of those fallen.

Mohsen Bayramnejad {K:21377} 2/3/2007

A fantastic journalistic work... this image have so many touching feelings.
well done!

7+

Doyle D. Chastain

{K:101119} 2/1/2007

Wonderful!! 7/7

Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~

Virgis Dromantas {K:4212} 1/19/2007

*Thanks Andre for your kind comment. You are right - there could have been much worse. Every human live is unique and loss is invaluable. Here we have 14 fallen lives for freedom. Virgis

Andre Denis {K:66407} 1/19/2007

Hi Virgis,
I do remember listening to these events on my car radio. They were very tense times. As you are well aware, this probably could have been much worse. One of my Uncles passed away in a Soviet jail in the mid fifties. From what I know from my father, he was arrested for defacing a Soviet statue in Warsaw. That is really the only detail I know.
Andre/Andrzej

Virgis Dromantas {K:4212} 1/18/2007

*Thanks dear Nicole for your nice comment. Virgis

Nicole Besch

{K:72664} 1/18/2007

Sorry forgot something!!!!Nicole:))

Nicole Besch

{K:72664} 1/18/2007

This is a great history lesson Virgis.So sad to read this!!Very well done.
7+++ from me
Best regards,Nicole

Virgis Dromantas {K:4212} 1/16/2007

*Thanks dear Avi!

Avi

{K:70138} 1/16/2007

Stunning photo-documentary !!!!!!!

Virgis Dromantas {K:4212} 1/15/2007

*Thanks dear Shadi! Virgis

Shadi Porooshani {K:11236} 1/15/2007

hi dear friend your welcome back ;)
good work thanks for sharing
regards
shadi

Virgis Dromantas {K:4212} 1/14/2007

*Thanks Marija for your nice comment. Yes, it is very said but sometimes it is price for Freedom. Virgis

Marija Ristic {K:4136} 1/14/2007

So many human lives lost...very sad. You made a nice tribute to this, Virgis. I hope no more 'opportunities' will happen again, though.
warm regards
Marija

Virgis Dromantas {K:4212} 1/14/2007

*Thanks Jim for your nice comment. You are welcome to Lithuania - the land of your Father.

Kind regards,
Virgis

Virgis Dromantas {K:4212} 1/14/2007

*Thanks Shirley, you are welcome. Virgis

Jim Budrakey

{K:24393} 1/14/2007

Thank you for posting this. My dad grew up near Vilnius and I was able to visit there last September. I'm wearing my "Proud to be Lithuanian" shirt while I am writing this. It is good to learn more of the history of my heritage.

Shirley D. Cross-Taylor

{K:174169} 1/14/2007

Great photojournalism, and history lesson, Virgis!

Virgis Dromantas {K:4212} 1/13/2007

Thanks, Nacho!

Jose Ignacio (Nacho) Garcia Barcia {K:96391} 1/13/2007

marvelous composition. great documentary.

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