in kyiv, the mayor destroys a statue symbolizing friendship with Moscow

It is the head of the statue of the Russian worker who falls first. Many are waiting their turn to have their picture taken with this imposing bronze piece on Tuesday, April 26. A historical monument in kyiv (Ukraine) celebrating Ukrainian-Russian friendship has been dismantled. This massive bronze statue was installed in Soviet times, in 1982, to commemorate the “reunification of Russia and Ukraine”. The mayor of the town, Vitali Klitschko, decided to destroy it. “Eight meters of metal of the alleged friendship of the two peoples dismantled”according to him.

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The many inhabitants of the capital present to witness the operation are delighted to see this monument disappear, by climbing on it or making the V for victory. “There is no longer any friendship between the two peoples. And it will last for many generations. I think it was already necessary to do it in 2014”, believes Boris, who approves of the decision to destroy the ark. Illia, the friend he came with, agrees. “With what is happening, I don’t see how we can be friends and have normal relations with the Russians”says this resident of eastern Ukraine. “There the Russians took my house and I was forced to leave.”

The statue, under an arch 35 meters high, represents two workers, Russian and Ukrainian, holding together in their hands a Soviet symbol with the inscription “Friendship between peoples”. From now on, she is on the ground and the two bronze men are separated from each other. “It’s a response to what is happening right now”Judge Loudmilla, who considers that the decision to destroy the statue is “very just”. “Russia is a tyrant. They oppress, kill, deprive people of drinking, eating, leaving their shelters… Every day they destroy our homes and our lives.” A crane then retrieves the pieces of the statue to load them onto the back of a truck.

“I propose to throw the Russian orca over the precipice. This horde of Russians has always made Ukrainians suffer”

Anatoli, resident of kyiv (Ukraine)

at franceinfo

He enjoys the show. “This decision should have been taken a long time ago, but luckily it’s done. Maybe one day there will be relations between us again. It’s hard to say but we know the story …”he says, citing the example of Germany. “At the time, the country was fascist. Today, it helps us in our fight for our independence.” According to the mayor of kyiv, 60 other monuments associated with the USSR and Russia will be dismantled soon. More than 460 streets will also be renamed.