Amidst rising nationalist sentiment across Eastern Europe, Lithuania proclaimed independence from the Soviet Union in March 1990, becoming the first of the Soviet republics to do so. Despite this declaration, the Soviet government remained resolute in its quest to maintain control over the region. In January 1991, as Lithuania's government solidified its independence, citizens organized mass protests and erected barricades in defense of their freedom. On January 13, 1991, Soviet troops advanced towards the protestors gathered in Vilnius to secure key sites, including the television tower.

Soviet forces, equipped with military hardware, charged towards peaceful demonstrators, resulting in a brutal clash. Armed soldiers fired upon unarmed civilians, leading to chaos and panic in the streets. The assault resulted in the deaths of 14 individuals, and approximately 1,000 others suffered injuries due to the confrontations. While the Lithuanian government continued to assert its sovereignty, the event illustrated the still-potent influence of Soviet power and the dire situation for those advocating for independence.

In the wake of the attack, international condemnation spurred support for Lithuanian sovereignty. The violent suppression was covered widely in global media, drawing attention to the plight of the Baltic states. This aggressive military response further fueled resistance against Soviet control, leading to greater solidarity among the independence movements in Estonia, Latvia, and beyond, ultimately contributing to the dissolution of the Soviet Union several months later.