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Latvia demolishes Soviet-era monument to protest Russian invasion of Ukraine

August 27, 2022
Bharat Times

Latvia has demolished a Soviet-era monument in Riga in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. According to AFP, the state’s ethnic Russian minority opposed the move. 79 meters (259 feet) World The War II memorial in Riga was brought down using demolition machinery. It was reportedly becoming a rallying point for those supporting the Kremlin.

Estonia and Lithuania such as Latvia have expressed support for Ukraine Since the Russian invasion began. The Latvian parliament has voted to remove all remaining Soviet statues, plaques and bas-reliefs by mid-November.

The first attempt was made to demolish the monument in 1997, when a group of activists tried to bring it down using dynamite. The procedure ended in two casualties at the time.

May 9, which is seen as the beginning of the Soviet occupation, saw ethnic Russians in Latvia gather around the now-demolished monument to celebrate the historic victory over Nazi Germany.

The Baltic countries Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have previously announced the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats over the invasion of Ukraine, prompting Moscow to say it would respond in kind. “Latvia expels three Russian embassy staff in view of activities contrary to their diplomatic status and the ongoing Russian offensive in Ukraine,” Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkeviks tweeted.

When Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine without provocation on February 24, many expected a quick victory. Six months later, the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II has turned into a Peace War of Exodus. The Russian offensive has largely failed as Ukraine’s forces are increasingly targeting key facilities behind the front lines, including in Russian-occupied Crimea.

The outcome of the war will depend on the ability of Russia and Ukraine to mobilize additional resources.

While Ukraine has mounted a mobilization and declared a goal to create a 1-million-man army, Russia continues to rely on a limited contingent of volunteers, an approach that reflects to the Kremlin that a mass mobilization can dissent and destabilize the country. can.

(with inputs from AFP and AP)

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