In the former Soviet Union countries there are still some monuments from the Soviet era. In the course of the Ukraine war, some countries such as Estonia and Latvia want to eliminate them. But that doesn’t happen without criticism.
There are still a few of them in Berlin: Soviet memorials. They are places where fallen Red Army soldiers are commemorated during World War II.
There are also memorials and memorials in former Soviet states. For example in the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The first two now want to put an end to the monuments. The reason: Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The Estonian government has agreed to remove communist monuments from public spaces, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said, according to Estonian Radio ERR. The exact time depends on the logistics, but it should happen “as soon as possible”. The background is the war in Ukraine and Russian aggression.
Tank monument in Narva causes discussions
Estonia’s President Alar Karis had also previously reiterated the government’s promise to remove monuments from the communist era. “Putin’s order to the Russian army to attack Ukraine on February 24 changed the meaning of many WWII monuments in Europe. I have seen, even in Ukraine, the pain and sorrow caused by almost identical Russian tanks. “
There are an estimated 200 to 400 Soviet memorials and monuments in Estonia, writes the ERR.
Still, there is debate about the removal of the monuments, for example in Narva, where a replica Soviet T-34 tank marks the spot where Soviet troops crossed the river to repel the German occupiers from the city. After the Soviet Union occupied Estonia for around 50 years, the tank monument became less and less popular.
Petition calls for a vote on the tank monument
The tank is not considered a symbol of aggression in Narva, but a symbol of historical memory, reported the news program “Aktuaalne kaamera”. Council members and city dwellers therefore believe it should remain in place. According to the “Aktuaalne kaamera”, hardly anyone in the mostly Russian-speaking city of Narva wants the tank removed. Residents would see the tank as part of the city’s identity.
Council member Denis Larchenko said loudly ERR, the removal of the tank or any other known monument could trigger a “social catastrophe” in the city. Tatjana Stolfat, leader of the center faction in the Narva city council, said: “For the people of Narva, the tank is just a good symbol. Some remember it from their childhood, others see it as part of their history.”
Around 3,000 of Narva’s 60,000 residents have signed a petition to hold a referendum on the issue, reports ERR further. Local politicians in Narva now want to meet with the government to discuss the issue. Narva Mayor Katri Raik said opposite ERR: “We would like to have a meeting in Narva to discuss together with the state what we can do together and what the future of the WWII monuments in Narva will look like.”
Russia criticizes removal of Soviet monuments
Prime Minister Kallas said on the removal of the Narva tank: “As it is clear that Narva is not doing it itself, tensions are increasing there, it is clear that the Estonian state and government itself must make the decision to remove this and other monuments with symbolic value to move.”
It is important to emphasize that commemorating the dead is not and will not be banned in any way, but should be done in the right place, Kallas said. “And in a graveyard where it can be done with dignity.”
“A tank is a murder weapon, it’s not a monument, and the same tanks are killing people on the streets of Ukraine right now,” added Kallas.
Russia has also gotten involved in the dispute over the tank monument “Bloomberg” reported. President Vladimir Putin’s chief spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said: “The war against history, moreover with a common history and the removal of monuments to those who saved Europe from fascism, is of course outrageous.”
Latvia also wants to remove monuments
Soviet memorials and monuments are also to be removed in Latvia, according to the news site Baltic News Network (BNN) reported. Back in July, the Latvian government approved the removal of 69 monuments, plaques and memorials glorifying the Soviet and Nazi regimes. In June, a “Law Prohibiting the Display of Objects Glorifying the Soviet and Nazi Regime and Their Dismantling on the Territory of the Republic of Latvia” came into force, as BNN further reported.
For example, a Soviet monument erected in 1985 in Uzvaras Park in the capital Riga is to be demolished, Latvian Prime Minister Krišjanis Karinš said loudly ERR.
Riga City Council leader Mārtiņš Staķis said it was necessary to start work in the next few weeks to dismantle the monument by November 15, 2022, according to BNN.
The authorities in Latvia do not rule out “provocations” during the dismantling of the monument in Uzvaras Park, reports Latvian Public Radio LSM. But these would “not be tolerated,” said Interior Minister Kristaps Eklons.
He said security and law enforcement services are preparing for a variety of scenarios that could be part of the monument’s demolition process. “Obviously we are preparing for the fact that there will be dissatisfaction, [Leute]who are trying to influence or stop this process in any way,” said the minister.
Sources: ERR, BNN, LSM, Bloomberg