VIDEO: The Soviet Emblem Removed from the 'Motherland' Monument in Kyiv

In the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, the Soviet emblem attached to the 'Motherland' monument has been dismantled. This information was reported by the NEXTA Live Telegram channel.

In place of the Soviet emblem, the Ukrainian emblem will be installed. The work, which began on July 30, is expected to be completed by August 24, Ukraine’s Independence Day. The monument will be renamed 'Mother Ukraine.'

The 'Motherland' monument, which stands more than 100 meters tall, is the fifth tallest statue in the world. As reported by Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko last July, the citizens of Ukraine voted in favor of removing the Soviet emblem from the shield of the 'Motherland.' According to the results of the survey, 85% of voters supported its replacement.

In Ukraine, the renaming of geographical locations and the battle against Soviet and Russian monuments began in 2015 following the adoption of the so-called decolonization law. By early 2022, the authorities had dismantled over 2,500 monuments and changed the names of more than 900 settlements and around 50,000 streets. In 2022, a new wave of opposition emerged against anything reminiscent of Russian and Soviet history and culture. The Ministry of Culture of Ukraine reported that 9,859 geographical names have been changed and 145 monuments associated with Russia have been dismantled.

The process of demolishing and renaming monuments in Ukraine is continuing at a rapid pace. At the end of June, the National Commission on State Language Standards advised renaming more than 1,400 place names as part of the country’s ongoing 'de-Russification' efforts. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that at the end of June, 316 urban objects were renamed in the capital of Ukraine.