After preparatory work on Sunday, two of the four sculpture groups portraying Soviet soldiers and workers were removed in early hours of Monday.

Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Šimašius said there were no plans to renovate the sculptures. In his words, the fate of the statues and the future appearance of the Green Bridge should be decided in autumn.

"In autumn, we will bring everyone to the table and decide," the mayor told journalists on Monday.

In his words, three informal proposals have been received from “near-by parks” to display the four sculptures.

Virginijus Pauza, director of the Vilnius municipality's City Service and Transport Department, said the removal had gone smoothly, with no damage caused to the sculptures.

The four groups of statues, representing Soviet soldiers, workers, peasants and students, have stood on the bridge since 1952. Supporters of the removal say the Soviet statues on the Green Bridge in central Vilnius are part of the Soviet propaganda, which insults the people who fought for Lithuania's liberation from the Soviet occupation.

The sculptures are officially listed as protected heritage. Opponents of the removal maintain that the sculptures are part of the bridge, accusing the administration of politicizing.