Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accused Estonia of destroying Soviet memorial heritage and stated that the fate of the remains buried in the mass grave is unknown. According to her, no information has been released about the exhumation or reburial of the remains.
The Estonian War Museum confirmed that the Jegevest memorial was removed a few weeks ago, and the remains are currently being prepared for reburial.
According to the museum, 795 Soviet Army soldiers who died in World War II were buried in the former Helme parish mass grave, of whom 726 identities have been established by name.
The removal of the Jegevest memorial is part of broader efforts to relocate Soviet-era monuments. During this process, which began in 2022, Estonia is removing memorials built by the occupying authorities, and the remains from these burial sites are being reburied in cemeteries.
In her statement, M. Zakharova used language characteristic of the official Russian historical narrative, calling the Red Army the liberator of Estonia from fascism, also mentioning the “Waffen-SS” units.
