The Aftermath of Diplomat Attacked In Lithuanian City, Russia Asks Baltic State Authorities To Protect Embassy

Illustration-Zhytomyr Region Defense Forces confiscate a Russian truck loaded with anti-tank guided missiles (Photo via @ArmedForcesUkr)

JAKARTA - Moscow on Saturday, March 5 asked the authorities in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to take a number of steps to protect the Russian embassies after the attack on their diplomats in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius.

The request was reported by the Russian news agency, RIA. "We warn Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn that they bear the consequences of the anti-Russian psychosis that they have unleashed," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"A Russian diplomat in the Lithuanian capital was attacked using physical force, an attempt to pressure the ambassador," the foreign ministry added.

Lithuania's national broadcaster last week reported that the third secretary of the Russian embassy was beaten on the evening of February 24 near the embassy, in a residential compound. The agency quoted a Lithuanian police spokesman.

The attack took place as 10,000 people gathered in front of the embassy -- to show support for Ukraine after Russia earlier on that date carried out the attack.

A suspect in the beating has been arrested, a police spokesman said. According to the spokesman, the diplomat refused medical assistance.