Stalin statue sparks controversy in occupied Melitopol
In Russian-occupied Melitopol, a bust of Joseph Stalin has been unveiled. The event was organised by local authorities to commemorate Victory Day.
What do you need to know?
- Where and when? The statue of Joseph Stalin was unveiled in occupied Melitopol, in the Zaporizhzhia region, to mark Victory Day, which the Russians celebrate on 9th May.
- Who attended? Representatives of the Russian occupation administration and local students, who laid flowers at the monument, took part in the ceremony.
- Why is it important? The monument commemorates Stalin as the organiser of the victory over Nazi Germany, which is controversial given his crimes, including the Holodomor.
Why is the Stalin monument in Melitopol controversial?
The Joseph Stalin monument in Melitopol, unveiled for Victory Day, has sparked strong emotions. The plaque reads: "For the organiser and inspirer of the Soviet people's victory over Nazi invaders, Generalissimo of the Soviet Union Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin, from grateful descendants."
The event was attended by a representative of the Russian occupation administration, Oleg Sliusarenko, and local students who laid flowers at the monument.
What are the historical contexts associated with the monument?
The Stalin monument in Melitopol is a reminder of a controversial figure whose rule was marked by crimes, including the Holodomor of 1932-1933, recognised as genocide of the Ukrainian people.
Stalinism, as a political system and ideology, left a lasting impact on the region's history. The unveiling of the monument in Melitopol, a city under Russian occupation, is viewed as an attempt to glorify this figure, which many oppose.
The monument was installed after approval by representatives of Melitopol's occupying "city administration." This event is part of a broader Russian narrative attempting to portray Stalin as a hero while ignoring his crimes.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda, X
