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.
Popular local legends indicated that the number 23 on the tank's turret symbolized the year of the Soviet invasion (1945 + 23 = 1968). In February 1991, historian Pavel Bělina stated there was no basis for preserving the monument.