Estonian police open proceedings over Soviet-era propaganda poster displayed near Tallinn

A large World War Two-era Soviet propaganda poster appeared on the outside wall of a private residence on Napsiku tee in Vääna-Jõesuu, west of Tallinn, clearly visible from the road. The incident, first reported by TV3, was later covered by newspaper Postimees.

The poster carries the Russian-language slogan "Death to the fascist snake" and shows a Red Army soldier stabbing a swastika-shaped snake with a bayonet. The image was created by Soviet graphic artist Alexei Kokorekin and published on June 24, 1941, just two days after Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union.

Triin Škubel, head of the general crime investigation group at the Lääne-Harju Police and Border Guard Board (PPA), told Postimees' Russian-language edition that misdemeanor proceedings had been opened under the section of the Penal Code covering incitement to hatred. She said publicly displaying a banner with such content and imagery does not align with the legal norms and general values prevailing in Estonia.

Škubel added that the situation undermines the sense of security within the Vääna-Jõesuu community, and that the PPA is seeking a fair and swift resolution — namely, removal of the "provocative" poster. The homeowner, who was abroad when contacted by Postimees, and his son initially denied knowledge of the poster. The father later suggested it might have been there after all, questioned why it mattered, and implied that phone footage of the poster could have been altered.

Broader context

Since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Estonian authorities have increased scrutiny of displays, slogans, placards and monuments perceived as glorifying military aggression. In April 2022, the Riigikogu passed a law banning hate symbols, and the PPA has reiterated that symbols justifying or supporting military aggression are prohibited under Estonian law.