The Three Sisters monument stands near the tri-border area where Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine converge. Ukrainian authorities have removed this sculpture from the official state register of immovable monuments, a decision confirmed by the Chernihiv regional Department of Culture via its social media channel. The move followed a broader reevaluation of monuments tied to the Soviet era and the complex history of the region, and it reflects ongoing debates about how memory is preserved in public spaces.
On May 16, 2022, the Ministry of Culture initiated a formal request to the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine to deregister the local landmark locally known as the Meant to Symbolize Friendship of Peoples. The monument is situated on the outskirts of the village of Senkivka in Chernihiv district, within the Chernihiv region. A year later, on June 30, 2023, officials directed that the Three Sisters be removed from the state register of immovable monuments, effectively removing its protected status and allowing for potential dismantling or relocation if authorities so choose. The procedural steps reflect a legal framework in Ukraine for reassessing sites tied to historical symbols and their public display in present-day civic spaces.
Regional authorities in Chernihiv indicated that deregistration would enable the monument to be dismantled as part of broader efforts to address a controversial legacy and align local heritage with contemporary values and historical interpretation. The decision sits within a larger national conversation about how post-Soviet monuments are treated—balancing remembrance, education, regional identity, and the political context shaping Ukraine’s cultural landscape.
Past reporting cited that several monuments commemorating Soviet soldiers had been relocated or removed in various parts of Ukraine as part of decommunization and ongoing memory reforms. Similar actions were noted in other regions, including attempts to address monuments in the western and Transcarpathian areas. These developments illustrate how local authorities navigate competing claims about heritage, authority, and the responsibilities of memory in public life—an ongoing process that involves cultural, legal, and civic considerations across diverse communities.
Overall, the situation surrounding the Three Sisters monument exemplifies the dynamic interaction between history, national policy, and regional sentiment. It highlights the methods by which Ukraine reviews public monuments, the criteria used for deregistration or preservation, and the broader discourse on how societies confront their past while shaping present-day identity and future policy choices. The event underscores a pattern in which municipalities weigh cultural significance against evolving political realities and the expectations of citizens who seek transparent, reasoned decision-making about shared spaces in their communities.