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Tomas SharnasCustoms officer
Country:
 Lithuania |
Content:
- The Myadiminkai Massacre: A Tragic Chapter in Lithuanian History
- Victims of a Deadly Ambush
- A Sole Survivor's Testimony
- A Mandate to Resist
- The Assailants' Identity
- A Political Motive
- The Role of OMON
- The August Coup and its Aftermath
- A Trial and a Questionable Suicide
- A Life Changed Forever
- A Question of Heroism
The Myadiminkai Massacre: A Tragic Chapter in Lithuanian History
The Unrest of the Soviet Union's DemiseIn the waning days of the Soviet Union, as the Belavezha Accords spelled its quiet demise, the country's agonizing end was marked by countless victims. Among them were seven Lithuanian customs officers and police officers, brutally murdered in a border checkpoint cabin in Myadiminka on the night of July 31, 1991.
Victims of a Deadly Ambush
The ambush targeted four customs officers, two highway police officers stationed nearby, and two members of the "Aras" special forces unit. The attackers' intent was to eliminate all witnesses, but their plan misfired when the eighth victim, 28-year-old Tomas Sernas, survived the carnage.
A Sole Survivor's Testimony
Sernas, shot in the head, remained alive for hours and was able to identify one of the assailants—a member of the Riga OMON (special police force). His testimony provides the only complete account of the horrific events that unfolded that night.
A Mandate to Resist
Sernas revealed that the officers were under strict instructions to avoid confronting the Soviet Army. The customs officers were unarmed, while the police possessed weapons but were ordered to retreat. The Vilnius-based "Aras" unit had an agreement with the OMON not to engage in hostilities.
The Assailants' Identity
The attackers wore camouflage uniforms without insignia, identifying themselves as members of the Riga OMON. The swift and ruthless execution took only seconds, with bullets to the back of the head.
A Political Motive
The repeated attacks on Lithuanian customs posts were likely part of a Moscow-driven plan to dismantle them. These posts symbolized Lithuania's aspirations for independence and provided the Kremlin with a pretext to intervene.
The Role of OMON
Nikolai Goncharenko, the Riga OMON coordinator, stated that he answered directly to Moscow. The authority to order such attacks lay with the Minister of Internal Affairs or his deputies.
The August Coup and its Aftermath
Just three weeks after the Myadiminkai massacre, the August Coup attempted to overthrow the Soviet leadership. Sernas believes that the coup was planned as a response to the Myadiminkai events, as resistance from "Aras" would have escalated into a firefight and justified the declaration of a state of emergency.
A Trial and a Questionable Suicide
One of the identified attackers was arrested and imprisoned in Vilnius. Despite the obvious evidence against him, he remained defiant and refused to escape.
A Life Changed Forever
Sernas's survival came at a steep cost. His physical limitations have hindered his once-promising career, but he has dedicated himself to consulting and the study of evangelical theology.
A Question of Heroism
Sernas downplays his status as a hero, emphasizing that he acted on principle. Despite the trauma he has endured, he remains grateful for the opportunity to serve his country.
