Popular local lore noted that the number 23 painted on the tank's turret was indicative of the year of the Soviet invasion (1945 + 23 = 1968). In February 1991, historian Pavel Bělina argued that there were "neither moral nor historical grounds" for preserving the monument.
Local folklore pointed out that the number 23 on the tank's turret was thought to represent the year of the Soviet invasion (1945 + 23 = 1968). In February 1991, historian Pavel Bělina claimed there were no moral or historical reasons for maintaining the monument.