Stalin statue in occupied Melitopol sparks controversy
A bust of Joseph Stalin was unveiled in Russian-occupied Melitopol. Local authorities organized the event to commemorate Victory Day.
What you need to know
- Where and when? The statue of Joseph Stalin was unveiled in occupied Melitopol, in the Zaporizhia region, to mark Victory Day, which the Russians celebrate on May 9th.
- Who attended? Representatives of the Russian occupation administration and local students, who laid flowers at the monument, participated in the ceremony.
- Why is it important? The monument commemorates Stalin as the organizer of the victory over Nazi Germany, which is controversial in light of 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 significant emotions. The plaque reads: "For the organizer and inspirer of the Soviet people's victory over Nazi invaders, Generalissimo of the Soviet Union Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin, from grateful descendants."
Oleg Sliusarenko, a representative of the Russian occupation administration, attended the event, and local students laid flowers at the monument.
What are the historical contexts associated with the monument?
The Stalin monument in Melitopol reminds us of a controversial figure whose rule was marked by crimes, including the Holodomor of 1932-1933, recognized 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 seen as an attempt to glorify this figure, which is opposed by many.
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
