A statue bust of Soviet General Ivan Tretiak has been removed from its pedestal in Khorol, located in Ukraine’s Poltava region. The action was reported by Suspilne, a regional broadcaster. The dismantling occurred on February 25 in the city of Khorol and was carried out by order of Dmitry Lunin, who heads the Poltava regional military administration. This event forms part of a broader trend seen across the region, where symbols tied to the Soviet era are being re-evaluated in light of current national narratives and security considerations. [Suspilne]
Earlier reports noted that another monument linked to the Russian cultural sphere, a statue dedicated to poet Alexander Pushkin, was also removed in the Poltava region, signaling a wider reshaping of public memorials in line with newly prioritized Ukrainian historical memory. [Suspilne]
In related developments, on February 22, Lozova, a city in Kharkiv region, announced a sweeping renaming initiative as part of the derussification policy. Authorities renamed 122 streets across 18 settlements under their administration. The new names honor Ukrainian figures and organizations, replacing former designations associated with Russia and the USSR. The move reflects ongoing efforts to redefine local identity and cultural landmarks in ways that reflect contemporary Ukrainian sovereignty and community values. [Media reports]