If I remember correctly, that was the case, according to some high officials at the time. Alfa asked for written orders but they were refused. Regarding Lithua

If I remember correctly, that was the case, according to some high officials at the time. Alfa asked for written orders but they were refused. Regarding Lithuania's January events, other units did refuse to operate even back then. IIRC Pskov airborne unit was given unwritten order to fly to Vilnius, but the commander refused.