The Russian Foreign Ministry has criticized Poland for dismantling around 465 monuments dedicated to Russian soldiers, terming it a “shameful act.” According to Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, this action by the Polish government sets an “anti-record” for erasing the memory of World War II. Zakharova emphasized that these monuments represent the sacrifice of over 600,000 Soviet soldiers who fought to save Poland during the war.
💬 #Zakharova: As many as 465 monuments to our heroic soldiers have been dismantled in Poland.
❌ It has set a shameful anti-record for erasing the memory of WWII and of the 600,000 Soviet soldiers who sacrificed their lives to save the Polish nation. pic.twitter.com/Bbo4J4ZdaE
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) April 3, 2024
History of Monument Dismantling
This is not the first time such actions have been taken in Poland. In 2022, four communist-era monuments honoring Red Army soldiers were also dismantled. These actions were part of Poland’s efforts to remove symbols of Moscow’s post-World War II domination. The monuments, mostly concrete obelisks, were destroyed using drills and heavy equipment across four different locations in Poland. Karol Nawrocki, head of the state Institute of National Remembrance, explained that these monuments symbolized a system responsible for enslaving and murdering its people and other nations, including Poles.
Poland’s Removal of Soviet Symbols
Since the fall of communism in 1989, Poland has been actively removing symbols of Moscow’s past domination from public spaces. Monuments and plaques have been taken down, although some have been relocated to special storage facilities. It’s important to note that this initiative does not extend to cemeteries or current burial sites.
Ukraine Conflict Adds Urgency
The recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia has added urgency to Poland’s efforts to distance itself from symbols associated with Russian dominance. Poland has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, backing its struggle against Russia politically, militarily, and economically. This support has further fueled Poland’s drive to remove Soviet-era monuments and symbols from its landscape.
In summary, Poland’s dismantling of monuments dedicated to Russian soldiers has drawn criticism from Russia, sparking debates about the preservation of historical memory and the ongoing tensions between the two countries amid the conflict in Ukraine.
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