03:13, 4 May 2019

Authorities perpetuate tank as symbol of two Chechen Wars

Screenshot of the opening of the T-72 tank monument in Shali on May 2, 2019, https://vk.com/wall279938622_395197

Contrary to the authorities' idea, the T-72 tank installed in Shali, became a reminder of two military campaigns in Chechnya, residents of the city believe. The monument is associated with the victims of the conflict in Chechnya, observers have noted.

The monument opened on May 2 serves as a reminder of Chechens' participation in the Great Patriotic War (WW II), the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, wrote in the social network VKontakte.

"Our countrymen fought worthily on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War ... I am sure that the monument will remind the youth of our great past and attract tourists' attention," he wrote.

The T-72 tank is not associated with the USSR's victory over Nazi Germany, local residents have noted.

"We saw such tanks during the recent wars in the republic; and they only cause rejection," said Arbi, a resident of Chechnya.

The T-72 tank can be associated by locals only with the Chechen Wars, but not with the Great Patriotic War, Ruslan Kutaev, the president of the Assembly of Caucasian Nations, has confirmed.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 3, 2019 at 06:04 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Magomed Tuaev

Source: CK correspondent