[Regnum] In the city of Å iauliai, Lithuania, archaeologists have excavated the remains of 26 Soviet soldiers who died in the Great Patriotic War. Their bodies were buried near the Cathedral of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. This was reported on April 7 by Lithuanian state broadcaster LRT.
"Today, 26 [bodies] will definitely be exhumed—that's half. I'd like to complete the exhumation next week, because time is short. If we work intensively this week, we might finish it next week," said archaeologist Rokas Kraniauskas.
He said that along with the soldiers' remains, elements of Soviet military uniform were found, including buttons, shoulder straps, leather belts, shoes, and captain's and lieutenant's shoulder straps.
The bodies are planned to be transferred to the cemetery in Ginukai, where Soviet soldiers are buried.
In August 2025, authorities in the town of Kohtla-Järve, Estonia, excavated a mass grave of Soviet soldiers. The burial site contained over 40 bodies. The decision to excavate the bodies was made under the pretext of reburial. Public activists and journalists reported that the excavation was carried out using an excavator, and the bodies were apparently placed in black bags, which were kept away from the burial site.