On 31 July 1991 , Soviet paramilitaries killed seven Lithuanian border guards on the Belarusian border in what became known as the Medininkai Massacre .
Shortly after , on February 1991 Iceland became the first country to recognize the independence of Lithuania .
On 31 July 1991 , Soviet paramilitaries killed seven Lithuania border guards on the Belarusian border in what became known as the Medininkai Massacre .
Shortly after , on February 1991 Iceland became the first country to recognize the independence of Lithuania .