Skulte military bomber
An article in a newspaper vividly demonstrates the situation in modern Latvia, when environmental objects glorifying the Soviet occupation army have been preserved and even restored in many places (often at the expense of the municipality). The indecision of power and the lack of will create long-lasting, confrontational situations in society. The various monuments, memorials and environmental objects are not perceived as places of history or memorial, but as instruments that continue the ideology of the Soviet occupation regime.
"In some places, the work was still done, and, for example, near Ērgļi, there is still an impressive pedestal, where the T-34 tank was once. The base was not demolished, but no new use was found and it now simply serves as a popular gathering place for local young people, as evidenced by the amount of empty containers in the area. However, there is a place in Latvia where such a “monument” still stands and even counts as local pride. It is about Skulti - not what is near Limbaži in Vidzeme, but a small village in Mārupe region, right behind the airport "Rīga". During the Soviet era, there was a garrison of the navies of the Baltic Fleet, but Soviet officers lived in the village. In 1978, a monument was erected here to the pilots who bombed Berlin during World War II. However, the monument itself had no direct connection with the bombing of Berlin - it was a long-lost IL28 aircraft. "Nobody is bothered by it anymore," are the most common Mārupians. Some people can't even imagine which "monument" it is. Skulte is located away from the center of Marupe and major roads. Sometimes curious people come here, who are interested in watching the take-off and landing of planes near the airport. The "miracle" of Soviet technology on display in the center of the village would not really bother anyone unless they tried to make a policy out of it. Recently, articles appeared in the Russian-language press about the heroic struggles of local veterans against bad nationalists, which tried to do something bad to the plane, but gave the "monument" itself a politically symbolic meaning.
"This soldier has seen a lot in his life. And it is still at the forefront of NATO in the country, ”local activist Nikolai Guščin told the Vesti weekly. He calls NATO as an ancient enemy several more times.
"I remember once three men came and started talking about something. I asked what interested them. Is there a history of war? They looked at me so strangely and said, "We have heard that the prices of non-ferrous metals have risen." tell me. I am a former commander of a department, and Skulte is dominated by military retirees, they have nothing to lose. We will defend our honor and dignity at all costs! ” Gushchin himself rushes to the plane whenever a suspicious person is reported to him.
The reader Kārlis contacted the editorial office of Latvijas Avīze, who believes that the threat of violence can be seen in this publication. "By what right can he declare it?" Why can't anyone touch that plane, is it his property? ” asks the reader. As you know, various military objects tend to interest not only non-ferrous metal thieves, but also, for example, teenagers who might try to climb up. It would be unfortunate if local "heads-up" appeared at that moment.
Opponents of the plane are also local authorities, but it will not dare to do anything, N. Guščins believes. "Officials know that if they order the plane to be cut, they will be very ill. Everyone here in Skulte knows each other, ”the activist threatens. He later clarified that no local would vote for such deputies in municipal elections. "
The article is published on the "Latvijas avīze" news portal. Available: https://www.la.lv/padomju-militaro-pensionaru-kulta-vieta-marupes-novada-2
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Skulte airplane IL-28
Located in Mārupe region, Skulte village, near Riga International Airport.
Skulte was one of the typical villages that was created for Soviet military personnel. There was an aviation unit that bombed the cities of Berlin and other places in 1941, as well as took part in the occupation of the Baltic States. In 1978, an environmental facility, the IL-28, was installed there to highlight the merits of Soviet Army pilots in World War II.
After the war, the Soviet Union continued its active armaments policy. IL-28 was the first, most produced Soviet jet bomber. The first RDS-4 atomic bomb ("Tatiana") was dropped from a plane of the same model in 1953 to test the army's ability to attack after a nuclear explosion. The aircraft had various modifications. In tests, it reached a speed of 906 km / h, carrying several tons of heavy cargo and flying 2,445 km. It was run by a crew of 3 people.
The plane is not only a witness to the military heritage, but also a symbol of ideology. In 2010, marking the victory of the Soviet army over Germany, the plane was rebuilt. There have also been several unsuccessful attempts to dismantle it as an object glorifying the occupation regime in Latvia.
Today you can see a plane, as well as get an idea of a village built for Soviet military personnel.
