Estonia has removed all Soviet monuments in the predominantly Russian-speaking border town of Narva. On Tuesday, a Soviet tank from World War II was removed. Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said this was ordered because of mounting tensions in and around Narva.
A large part of the Russian minority lives in the region, almost a quarter of Estonia’s 1.3 million inhabitants. The government in Tallinn fears that the Russian minority could come under the influence of Moscow.
War in Ukraine: Estonia takes a stand against Russia
The EU and NATO country Estonia have taken a decisive stance against Russia in the war in Ukraine. As in the other two Baltic ex-Soviet republics of Lithuania and Latvia, concerns about the country’s security have been mounting since the Russian invasion.
The Estonian government announced that it would also remove a Soviet-era monument to war victims and replace it with a neutral grave. Prime Minister Kallas said Russia should not use Estonian history to further divide society.
When Estonia had a World War II monument in honor of the Red Army removed in the capital Tallinn in 2007, the government in Moscow spoke of an insult to Soviet soldiers who had driven the German occupation forces out of Estonia.
Cyber attacks on Estonian state institutions
Shortly after the monument was removed, there were cyber attacks on Estonian state institutions. Russia has denied allegations of involvement. At the time, there were also violent protests, mainly by Russian-speaking youth. According to the BNS, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu has now warned that foreigners who oppose the removal of the monument will revoke their residence permits.
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.
