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Copenhagen, Denmark: A concrete obelisk topped by Soviet stars that was the centrepiece of a monument commemorating the Crimson Military’s victory over Nazi Germany was taken down Thursday in Latvia’s capital — the most recent in a collection of Soviet monuments introduced down after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Heavy equipment was noticed behind a inexperienced privateness fence on the foot of the almost 80-metre obelisk shortly earlier than it was felled. The column, which had stood like a high-rise in downtown Riga, crashed into a close-by pond, inflicting an enormous splash at Victory Park.
The Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German Fascist Invaders falls throughout demolition in Riga, Latvia.Credit score:AP
A Latvian media outlet broadcast the occasion reside as onlookers, some with Latvian flags wrapped round their shoulders, cheered and applauded.
The obelisk, made up of 5 spires with three Soviet stars on the prime, stood between two teams of statues — a band of three Crimson Military troopers and on the opposite aspect a girl representing the “Motherland” along with her arms held excessive.
The monument was inbuilt 1985 whereas Latvia was nonetheless a part of the Soviet Union. It has stirred controversy since Latvia regained independence in 1991 and ultimately grew to become a NATO and European Union member.
On Twitter, Latvia’s overseas minister mentioned by taking down the monument, Latvia was “closing one other painful web page of the historical past and on the lookout for higher future”.
A concrete obelisk topped by Soviet stars comes down in Latvia.Credit score:Twitter/Valsts policija
The nation shares a 214-kilometer border with Russia and has a big ethnic Russian inhabitants. On Russia’s annual Victory Day, which commemorates the Soviet victory over Germany in World Battle II, folks gathered in entrance of the Riga monument to put flowers.
Latvia’s parliament voted to approve the demolition of the Victory Park monument in Might, and the Riga Metropolis Council adopted swimsuit. Work to clear away the monument began three days in the past with the removing of statues. The realm was then cordoned off and authorities issued a flight ban for drones. Police quickly closed visitors close to the park on Thursday, citing safety causes.
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