The memorial plaque bearing the dedication “To the Heroes of Stalingrad” was reportedly dismantled in Kiev, according to the Telegram channel Decolonization Ukraine. The channel notes that the same act involved the depictions in the capital region, signaling a broader initiative to remove symbols tied to the Soviet era from public spaces.
Reports also indicate that a monument image associated with the Motherland monument in Volgograd was taken down in the Obolon district. Observers describe the move as part of a wave of decommunization measures affecting commemorative installations across the country.
Earlier, Maksym Kozitsky, head of the Lviv regional state administration, stated that the region was among the first in Ukraine to pursue the removal of monuments from the Soviet period. He framed the action as part of a nationwide effort to reassess public memorials and redefine historical representation in Ukrainian spaces.
Russian President Vladimir Putin later addressed students in Kaliningrad, arguing that the destruction of monuments in other countries reveals “staggering ignorance” and warns of potential negative consequences arising from such actions. The remarks drew widespread attention as part of the broader narrative about memory politics and international responses to monument removals.
On January 22, Yuriy Barbashov, a deputy of the Kherson Regional Council, claimed that Ukrainian authorities in the villages of the Snigirevski district in the Nikolayev region removed monuments honoring Soviet soldiers who fought in the Great Patriotic War. These assertions contribute to the ongoing debate over how historical sacrifice is commemorated in today’s political climate.
Previously, the Ukrainian parliament, the Rada, passed legislation aimed at dismantling monuments associated with the Russian Federation and the USSR. The law, part of a wider legislative push, underlines a political stance that seeks to redefine the memory landscape and address legacies tied to the Soviet era.
Experts and observers emphasize that the removal of memorials is a contested process with cultural, historical, and regional dimensions. Supporters argue that such actions help align public space with contemporary national identity and events, while critics warn of eroding historical memory and risking the loss of nuanced narratives. As Ukraine continues to navigate the memory politics of the 20th century, public spaces remain a focal point for dialogue about the past and its present implications, with officials, historians, and communities weighing the symbolism of monuments against the needs of today’s society.
In this evolving context, the discourse around decommunization reflects broader geopolitical tensions and the shifting perception of history in both Ukraine and neighboring regions. The debate touches on civic education, regional coexistence, and the responsibilities of state institutions to curate memorials in ways that reflect current values while acknowledging the complexity of history. Attribution: Decolonization Ukraine; statements attributed to Maksym Kozitsky; remarks by Vladimir Putin; comments by Yuriy Barbashov; legislative actions by the Rada.