The Reform Movement of Lithuania that began in 1987 was of a paramount importance to the compulsory service of Lithuanian men in the occupier’s military units of the USSR.

At the rallies and demonstrations and in the statements and declarations, the patriotic movements such as Lithuanian Liberty League, Young Lithuania and Ženeva 49 demanded the restoration of Lithuania’s independence, addressed the need for the occupant Russian army to withdraw from the Fatherland, and launched a signature collection campaign against the illegal presence of the foreign troops as well as against the compulsory conscription of the men of the annexed country, which violated the international law. After taking over this initiative, the Reform Movement of Lithuania collected 1,650,000 signatures. Lithuanian men began deserting from the occupier’s army and went into hiding.