On Saturday, 10 January 2026, the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Ukraine organised a symbolic commemorative run titled The Road of Life and Death on Trukhaniv Island.
The sporting event was dedicated to honouring the memory of the victims of soviet military aggression on 13 January 1991, and expressing solidarity with Ukrainians who continue to fight for freedom.
More than 70 friends of Lithuania joined the run, undeterred by recent overnight russian attacks, the biting cold, or other challenges currently facing Ukraine. Among the participants were members of the diplomatic corps, employees of the State Enterprise ‘Directorate-General for Rendering Services to Diplomatic Missions’ (GDIP), members of the Lithuanian community, and Ukrainians, whose participation once again affirmed the strong bond of freedom and solidarity that unites our states.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Lithuania to Ukraine, Inga Stanytė-Toločkienė, opened the event with a welcome speech:
‘Through this commemorative run, we remember and honour the victims of 13 January 1991, thanks to whom we defended Lithuania’s freedom that night. It was a great victory. Yet today, the fate of that victory is, to a large extent, being decided in Ukraine. That is why we also honour Ukrainians who are defending their land, their skies, and their future — as well as the future of all of Europe. They are fighting the same aggressor, whose methods have remained unchanged. I want to believe that Europe is changing — and that together we are stronger.’
At the finish line, a commemorative medal awaited each participant as a sign of gratitude to the defenders of freedom.
