Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur (Reform) on February 23 sent a letter to local government heads, clarifying that the ministry wants to display the exhibit in various cities between February 25 and the end of March. The destroyed tank is currently on display in Tallinn's Freedom Square.

The plan is to showcase the captured tank in Rakvere March 2-5, Jõhvi March 5-8, Narva March 8-11, Tartu March 11-14, Võru March 14-17, Viljandi March 17-20 and Pärnu March 20-23.

Pevkur writes that the ministry will organize transport and ensure security.

The ministry wants the tank displayed in plain view in frequented locations in or near city centers.

At the same time, local governments have to approve the exhibit.

Local paper Virumaa Teataja reported that Rakvere does not want to set up the tank in its main square.

Rakvere Mayor Triin Varek told the county paper that the city is reluctant to display the tank during the election week.

"We all understand that this initiative has an air of propaganda about it. We know who is serving as defense minister and the electoral district they are running in," Varek said. "It would be fine any other time. But right now, the tank would be out of place in the midst of parties' campaign tents."

Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said last week that Ukraine will send a destroyed Russian tank to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Germany.

--

Follow ERR News on Facebook and Twitter and never miss an update!