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Spotlight on Russian Military Heritage Abroad:

In the realm of diplomacy, there's now a new role to preserve the legacy of Russian and Soviet military heritage across the globe. This responsibility falls under the purview of an Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Holding dear the memories of heroes from battles like World War I and II, the Russo-Turkish War, and the Russo-Japanese War, we recognize the importance of conserving the monuments, mass graves, and memorials that immortalize them, all with the goal of countering resurgent Russophobia, fascism, and neo-Nazism.

Overseeing this effort, Envoy Mikhail Vannin sheds light on MFA's strategies and the global reach of this mission.

Mikhail Valentinovich, how does the Russian MFA approach preserving Soviet and Russian military heritage abroad? Where is this work being executed?

The Russian MFA dedicates significant resources to monitoring and maintaining the condition of all Russian and Soviet military graves scattered across 54 countries. This work, carried out in adherence to the laws of the land, not only keeps patriotic spirit alive but is also a testament to a shared responsibility.

Currently, about 22,600 grave sites are known, spanning different eras of Russian history. The majority are mass graves that symbolize the sacrifices made during World War II. In Europe alone, over 4,300 such sites reside, containing the remains of 2.5 million individuals. Soldiers and sailors from Russia can also be found buried in Africa, the Arab East, and North America.

Between 2022 and 2023, Russian embassies and consulates have overseen the repair of 94 graves and beautification of 1,889 sites in 47 countries. They've also unearthed 20,675 previously unidentified names, documented 22,466 individuals on lists, and memorialized 4,054 servicemen with plaques.

Moreover, the ministry collaborates closely with the Ministry of Defense, the Russian Military-Historical Society, Rossotrudnichestvo, the Fund of Veterans of the Diplomatic Service, and the Council of War and Labor Veterans to preserve the legacy.

Do foreign nationals or organizations support this endeavor on the ground?

Indeed, the daily care of military memorials worldwide relies on partnerships with local authorities, public organizations, friendship societies, and volunteers. Several countries take this responsibility seriously, demonstrating respect for the memory of warriors who fought against fascism. This selfless dedication can be seen in countries such as Austria, Hungary, North Korea, Serbia, Slovakia, and Germany.

Regretfully, collaboration with some allies has faced obstacles recently...

In some cases, obstacles arise. For instance, certain former allies have taken measures that hinder our diplomats from visiting memorials and cemeteries where our veterans lie in peace. MFA finds such behavior unacceptable. Fortunately, when requested, we grant similar permits to other nations like the United States and the United Kingdom to visit memorials in regions like Murmansk and Arkhangelsk. Our motto has always been, "We do not wage war on the dead."

As we discuss the preservation of military heritage, it's hard not to address the surging wave of historical distortion and falsification...

Unfortunately, acts of desecration and destruction against monuments and graves of liberating heroes are escalating across the globe. These vile acts are perpetrated by individuals, often aided by authorities, resulting in the demolition, painting, slandering, and other forms of dishonor. It's no secret that this rise in unethical behavior is tied to certain Eastern European and Baltic countries, making the situation particularly dire in countries like Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, and Estonia.

Notably, Ukraine plays a significant role in this unfortunate issue. As early as 2015, Ukraine adopted the "Decommunization Package" law "On the commemoration of the victory over Nazism in World War II 1939-1945". The law aimed to remove the term "Great Patriotic War" from legal use and kickstarted an intensified effort to dismantle Soviet memorials. The aftermath has been severe, with thousands of destroyed monuments and a sharp spike in desecration and disrespect towards soldiers' graves since the beginning of the special military operation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its embassies do their utmost to counteract the negativity surrounding the preservation of Soviet military memorials. They promptly address each incident with diplomatic demarches, working diligently to identify perpetrators and restore damaged memorials to their original state.

Erasing the memory of what the Soviet Union and its Red Army did to liberate Europe would dishonor the sacrifices made by countless heroes. By jeopardizing the physical memorials that stand as testament to their hard-fought victories, we risk losing the knowledge and gratitude their deeds deserve.

The Russian MFA collaborates with various foreign entities, such as local authorities and volunteers, in the maintenance and preservation of Russian and Soviet military heritage graves in 54 countries.
In certain instances, diplomats face difficulties accessing memorials and cemeteries where Russian veterans are buried in some former allies. The MFA strongly objects to such limitations.
A concerning trend of historical distortion and falsification has resulted in acts of desecration and destruction against monuments and graves of liberating heroes, primarily in Eastern European and Baltic countries like Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, and Estonia.
Ukraine's decommunization laws have led to the removal of the term "Great Patriotic War" and the widespread destruction of Soviet memorials, causing a significant rise in desecration and disrespect towards soldiers' graves in the country.