Lithuania will demand compensation from Russia for damage to its embassy in Kyiv as a result of shelling
Lithuania will demand compensation from Russia for damage to its embassy in Kyiv as a result of a missile attack. First, the Lithuanian side will conduct a full assessment of the losses incurred.
The diplomatic mission building was damaged during a Russian shelling of the Ukrainian capital on the night of August 1. According to the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, two Russian missiles fell at a distance of about 5 and 150 meters from the embassy.
The explosions damaged window frames and the roof of the building, shattered glass, and damaged solar panels installed on the roof. Embassy staff were not injured.
A representative of Russia was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania and handed a note of protest. The document emphasizes that after a detailed assessment of the damage, Vilnius will demand compensation from Moscow. Lithuania also reserves the right to apply other retaliatory measures.
The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry stated that the Russian strike grossly violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys did not rule out that Russia may have deliberately struck near diplomatic missions. According to him, there are no military facilities directly near the embassy, and the closest target that Russia regularly attempts to hit is a power plant about one and a half kilometers away.
Budrys suggested that the goal of the attack could have been intimidation or pressure. At the same time, he emphasized that the strike did not diminish Lithuania's determination to support Ukraine.
The Russian side did not apologize for the damage to the diplomatic mission. According to Budrys, the Russian representative stated that Lithuania had allegedly been warned about the danger of staying in Kyiv. Vilnius viewed that message as a threat.
