In Latvia, the Soviet victory monument in the capital Riga was razed to the ground on Thursday afternoon. By order of the city authorities, two excavators with pneumatic hammers removed the 79-meter high obelisk with the Soviet star on top. At 4:42 p.m. local time, after hours of work, the huge concrete column fell to the ground with a big bang – to the applause of numerous spectators.
In the days before, the meter-high bronze statues had already been removed with heavy equipment. In Latvia, all objects glorifying totalitarian regimes must be dismantled by November 15, following a parliamentary decision taken in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
The ordinance specifically targets the demolition of the Soviet Victory Monument. “This monument was a constant reminder of our occupation, the fate of many people associated with it – deportations, repression and so on. We don’t need such a memorial,” President Egils Levits said on Latvian television, which broadcast the demolition live.
“Historic moment for Riga and all of Latvia”
The mayor of Riga, Martin Stakis, spoke of a “historic moment for Riga and all of Latvia” after the demolition. The monument was erected in 1985 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Hitler’s Germany in World War II – as a “monument to the liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German-fascist invaders”.
Latvia was alternately occupied by Germany and the Soviet Union during World War II. After the end of the war, the Baltic state was involuntarily part of the Soviet Union until 1991. Russia strongly protested against the dismantling of the monument.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
