Kherson square cleared of Soviet symbol

On May 24, in Kherson, on the square of the city's 200th anniversary, utility workers dismantled the five-pointed star with a hammer and sickle on the Soviet monument "Three Bayonets."

This was reported by the Kherson City Military Administration.

The dismantling of the Soviet symbols took place as part of a series of measures to ensure the state policy of restoring historical memory in Ukraine and condemning the crimes of the totalitarian communist regime.

"In today's Ukraine, which is fighting for its independence, we must prevent the Kremlin's USSR 2.0 project. This symbolism is prohibited by law, which must be strictly enforced. Even during martial law. Especially during our confrontation with the Russian invaders on the territory of the Kherson frontline community," the statement reads.

Photo: Kherson MBA/Collage by Intent

Recently, Kherson presented a new directory "Liberated Map" that systematizes all the new names of streets, alleys, and other community facilities renamed in 2023-2024 as part of de-Russification and decommunization.

The Law of Ukraine "On the Condemnation of Communist and National Socialist (Nazi) Totalitarian Regimes and the Prohibition of the Use of Their Symbols" was adopted in 2015 to officially recognize the criminal nature of these regimes and protect society from their influence. It declares that both the Soviet and Nazi governments were responsible for mass repression, extermination, and violations of rights and freedoms.

This law prohibits the public use of symbols associated with the USSR or Nazi Germany, such as the hammer and sickle, five-pointed red stars, the coat of arms of the Soviet Union, portraits of Lenin or Stalin, flags of the USSR, and the Nazi swastika and other signs. It is also prohibited to justify or deny the crimes committed by these regimes, including the Holodomor, the Holocaust, repression, and deportation.

The law requires the state and local authorities to remove all reminders of these regimes from public space: renaming streets and cities, changing the names of businesses, removing monuments and plaques associated with Soviet or Nazi figures.

Ірина Глухова