Nationalist activists in Ukraine’s Russian-speaking Kharkiv, have torn down a statue of the former communist Russian leader Lenin. It is believed this action was actually supported by the officials. Kharkiv Freedom Square was the place of gathering for hundreds of people, on the night of 28th September. People were cheering as one of Ukraine’s largest statues was being crashed to the ground. It took several hours to bring the 20 meter tall statue down to the ground. Back in February, when President Yanukovych was forced to leave there were a great number of pro-Russia demonstrators who defended the statue from the pro-EU activists. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second biggest city was lucky enough to escape the violence which took by storm east regions in eastern Ukraine, Donetsk and Luhansk.
The words “Glory to Ukraine” were written on the statue, along with a Nazi “Wolfsangel” symbol. The Ukrainian nationalists say it actually represents a cross between letters N and I. The letters are supposed to mean “national idea.” Another group of men climbed the statue and began sawing off its leg. Before the statue of Lenin was actually torn down, the governor of Kharkiv, Ihor Baluta had already signed an order permitting the disassemble of the statue. Some sources say the order was a last-minute attempt of “face-saving” done by the authorities in Kharkiv. The Facebook page of Arsen Avakov, the Ukrainian Interior Minister stated he had given orders to the police to ensure the safety of the people present at the rally. The safety of the statue was not an issue. He stated the following: “Lenin? Let him fall. As long as people don’t get hurt. As long as this bloody communist idol does not take more victims with it when it goes.”
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Ukrainian media has reported, however that police will begin investigating the act of vandalism which too place in Kharkiv. The criminal case will be based on an article which forbids the destruction or damage to cultural heritage sites and personal property. An activist severely injured his head, while the statue of Lenin was being pulled down. Some people from the crowd ran to pick up pieces of the ruin. The entire event which took place in the Kharkiv Freedom Square was broadcast on the internet.