Russia investigates WWII memorial destruction in Baltics, Eastern Europe
(MENAFN)
Russia has initiated a criminal investigation into the widespread destruction and vandalism of World War II memorials across the Baltic states and Eastern Europe. The country’s Investigative Committee claims there is a coordinated campaign to erase the legacy of Soviet soldiers who fought against Nazi Germany.
Russia has initiated a criminal investigation into the widespread destruction and vandalism of World War II memorials across the Baltic states and Eastern Europe. The country’s Investigative Committee claims there is a coordinated campaign to erase the legacy of Soviet soldiers who fought against Nazi Germany.
Officials announced on Wednesday that 167 cases are currently under investigation. Aleksandr Pakhtusov, a senior figure in the Committee’s department for war crimes and historical justice, revealed that the accused include members of national parliaments and local authorities. He emphasized that the probe is grounded in both Russian law and the principles of the Nuremberg Tribunal, as well as international agreements that mandate the preservation of war memorials.
Over 250 individuals from countries like Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine have been charged in absentia for allegedly damaging Soviet military cemeteries and monuments. Russian authorities allege that some national governments have actively supported the removal of tributes to Red Army soldiers who died liberating Europe in 1944–1945.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova singled out Poland, noting that of the roughly 570 memorials once protected by bilateral agreement, only a few dozen remain intact.
The demolition of Soviet-era memorials has surged in recent years. Latvia dismantled the iconic 79-meter Victory Monument in Riga in 2022, part of a larger effort to eliminate Soviet symbols from public life. Estonia relocated the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn in 2007, sparking widespread unrest, and later announced the removal or relocation of more than 240 such monuments. Lithuania has followed suit, including the removal of a Soviet statue in Kaunas.
Moscow has strongly condemned these actions, accusing European nations of historical revisionism. In a 2020 speech at the UN Human Rights Council, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized the West for turning a blind eye to what he described as a “sacrilegious war” against monuments honoring those who sacrificed their lives to defeat fascism.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
