Russia has protested the removal of the Red Army monument in Jõgeveste.
Estonian authorities removed the monument in Jõgeveste, Valga County, which marked the grave of 795 Soviet soldiers. Russia claims the location of the soldiers' remains is unknown.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said people do not know where their relatives now rest. A protest was lodged with the Estonian ambassador in Moscow.
Jõgeveste is also the burial site of General Barclay de Tolly. He commanded the Russian army in 1812. In 1944, nearly 800 Red Army soldiers died in Jõgeveste. They were buried near Barclay de Tolly's grave.
The Estonian War Museum has been removing Soviet monuments in recent years. The Jõgeveste monument was removed a few weeks ago. The remains are being sorted and reburied.
The grave in Jõgeveste contained 795 soldiers, with 726 names known. Estonian authorities began removing monuments in 2022.
Russia uses Soviet symbols in its politics. Similar monuments have also been removed in other European countries.