Russian 1968 Prague Spring Invasion Film Angers Czechs, Slovaks
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A Russian film about the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia has incensed the Czech and Slovak governments, who said it distorts history by justifying the armed crackdown on the democratic “Prague Spring” movement.
The two former federation partners, who split peacefully in 1993, protested the way the documentary portrayed the invasion as a friendly move to protect against a potential threat from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Both countries’ foreign ministries condemned the film for using Soviet-era images and propaganda techniques. The film “grossly distorts” the facts, Czech Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek said in a statement after summoning the Russian ambassador on Monday.