Currently in the public space there are fewer voices that support Russia’s crimes in Ukraine, but at the same time part of pro-Russian Latvian residents have become even more radicalised, as NATO StratCom Director Jānis Sārts wrote on social networks.
Looking one year back to what happened in the vicinity of the now demolished Soviet Victory Monument in Pardaugava in Riga on the 10th of May,
Sārts noted on Twitter that the Soviet monument is no more, the myth of Russia’s strength is ruined,
the celebrations that took place there every year on the 9th of May seem impossible and there are fewer voices in the public space that support Russian crimes in Ukraine.
The number of Kremlin’s supporters is down, but there are also many who continue sympathising with the Kremlin, and they have learned to stay quiet. The discussions that were previously in public space have simply switched to closed forums.
At the same time, some of Kremlin’s sympathisers have radicalised even more in following Russian propaganda in their beliefs.
“The fact that we do not experience this in our day-to-day bubble, does not mean this opinion doesn’t exist. What to do?,” Sārts rhetorically asked.
NATO StratCom Centre director considers the education system as the central long-term solution. This means not only education in Latvian language but also access to fact-based history and promotion of public values in schools. It is also necessary to continue strict treatment of supporters of genocide.
Ukraine’s victory would have a destructive effect on Russia’s image, says Sārts.
For decades the 9th of May in Latvia was celebrated by many as the Day of Soviet Red Army’s Victory over Nazi Germany in WWII. Many in Latvia still maintain this tradition. However, for a long time in many parts of Eastern Europe this date is associated with the occupation of Baltic States by USSR.
Despite invitations from the government to spend the 9th of May commemorating the victims of Russian aggression in Ukraine and not gather near memorials associated with the Soviet regime, many people still came to the monument in Pardaugava last year, though in smaller numbers than before.
The flowers brought to the Soviet Victory Monument on the 9th of May were promptly removed the next morning, which caused an outrage among many pro-Russian Latvian residents.
Many returned to the monument again on the 10th of May, bringing more flowers.
After this ordeal then the Minister of the Interior Marija Golubeva stepped down.
The Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German Fascist Invaders was demolished in August 2022.
Also read: Latvian authorities detain six for attempts to celebrate “Victory Day”