21 December 2025
(PHOTO: Myroslav Otkovych/Facebook.)
The protective cube behind the Pushkin monument in Odesa was covered with reproductions of paintings by Odesa artist Stanislav Zhalobniuk.
The artist's paintings express a critical stance toward the monument and the poet's figure in general as a marker of Russian propaganda.
Myroslav Otkovych, a spokesman for the 241st separate territorial defense brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that Stanislav Zhalobniuk is currently undergoing basic military training at the training center as a mobilized soldier.
"Those who have eyes, let them see, those who have ears, let them hear: remove this Moscow garbage from the square in front of Odesa City Council. Every day of delay is a shame for everyone who has the opportunity to make a decision but does not do so. Listen to the public sector, listen to the artist who, because of Russia's invasion, is forced to change his creative studio for a tent in the middle of a clean field and soldiers' porridge," wrote Myroslav Otkovych.
Stanislav Zhalobniuk was born in Odesa in 1976. From 1996 to 2001, he studied at the painting department of the Odesa State Art and Theater School named after M.B. Grekov. Since 2006 he has been a member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine. He lives and works in Odesa. Positions himself as a representative of the Odesa school of painting. He works in the areas of abstractionism, futurism, suprematism, expressionism and other styles of contemporary art.
Earlier, the dismantling of the monument to Alexander Pushkin was temporarily suspended in Odesa. According to the official version of the mayor's office, the reason for the suspension is that the monument is located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic center of Odesa, which is also on the World Heritage List in Danger.
The monument to Pushkin on Exchange Square was fenced off with boards in late October. Later, the press service of the Odesa City Council confirmed to Intent that, according to an order from the head of the Odesa Regional Administration, Oleh Kiper, the monument was temporarily removed from public view.
Кирило Бойко