Page 2 - Soviet Monuments News Today

Latvia toppled a towering Soviet-era monument commemorating the Red Army victory over Nazi Germany, the latest in a series of monuments that have been pulled down in Eastern Europe amid growing hostility toward Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine. 

The demolition of a large Soviet monument complex in Riga's Victory Park (Uzvaras parks) began Tuesday following the arrival of large excavators at the site; by Tuesday night, part of the sculptures had already been taken down. Latvian authorities are taking Estonia's experiences into consideration during the process as well.

The Estonian government has no plans to demolish the Maarjamäe Memorial [to those who fell defending the Soviet Union in WWII] in Tallinn. However, Minister of Culture Piret Hartman (SDE) did not rule out cooperation with the City of Tallinn and other partners in redesigning the memorial.

The Estonian War Museum in Viimsi, just outside Tallinn, saw three times the number of visitors over the weekend. While Saturday was a national holiday in Estonia (Restoration of Independence Day), the larger-than-usual crowd, of over 1,000 visitors, was likely drawn by a Soviet-made tank which had previously been located in Narva, opening up for public display.

Work is set to begin on Monday to dismantle the Soviet 'Victory' monument in Riga's Uzvaras Park, Latvian national broadcaster LSM reports.

Kärdla's Soviet-era monument "Kivi Jüri" will be moved away from the island's capital to Hiiumaa Military Museum, councilors agreed this week.

Around a third of Estonian residents of 'other nationalities', meaning in practice predominantly Russian-speakers, now think that Soviet-era monuments should be relocated to museums and away from public places, according to a recent survey.

While the operation to remove the Soviet-era tank monument from its location just outside the eastern Estonian town of Narva, along with the removal of other Soviet-era monuments and memorials in the area, was logistically speaking a complex task, it was good job well done, and conducted professionally, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reform) says.

Seven Soviet monuments, including the tank, will be removed from Estonia's eastern border town Narva on Tuesday, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reform) said on Tuesday. Delaying the decision further will only increase tensions, the government agreed.

Police in Estonia have detained eight people during the removal of several Soviet monuments in Narva on Tuesday, confirmed Narva Police Station Chief Indrek Püvi.