Estonian authorities have moved a Soviet
war monument from its spot in central Tallinn overnight after riots left
one dead. The removal of the memorial has triggered a furious response
from Moscow. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)
MOSCOW,
April 27 (Xinhua) -- Russia on Friday threatened to take "practical reactions"
against neighboring Estonia, which earlier dismantled a Red Army soldier's
statue.
"The Russian side is planning a practical reaction
against Estonia over the pulling down of the Soldier Liberator monument,"
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said.
The Soviet-era war memorial, situated in Tynismyagi
square in the Estonian capital Tallinn, was pulled down overnight.
The removal sparked clashes between police and
protesters, with one man reportedly stabbed to death and dozens injured, the
Itar-Tass news agency reported.
The Federation Council, Russia's upper house of
parliament, on Friday called for breaking off diplomatic ties with Estonia.
In response, Estonia postponed the relocation of the
remains of Soviet soldiers who died in 1944. The relocation was part of the
dismantlement plan.
"Government plans related to the fraternal grave and the monument commemorating the fallen soldiers need to be revised," the Interfax news agency quoted Estonian Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo as saying.