Toppled statue of Lenin in Kharkiv. “We’ve been waiting 20 years” – Polish Radio

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In Kharkov in the north east of Ukraine overturned on Sunday evening, the leader of the Bolshevik Revolution monument to Vladimir Lenin. This came during a patriotic demonstration, organized in response to the attempt to convene the pro-Russian separatist action.

The manifestation was held under the slogan “Kharkiv is Ukraine.” It was attended by residents of Kharkiv, the participants of the earlier anti-government protests at the turn of 2013 and 2014 and the local Metalist fans. Among them were also representatives of the , including the governor of the Kharkiv Ihor Balut. erected password proukraińskie and criticizing the policies of Russian President Vladimir Putin. majority of the participants had with her Ukrainian symbols, including flags.

Monument overthrow of a few hours

Monument standing on the main square of this city of nearly półtoramilionowego, Maidan Liberty, the overthrow of about four hours. – This is a real feast. look forward, as in the New Year!’ve been waiting for this for over 20 years – said Mykhailo Barbara actor one of the Ukrainian theaters in Kharkov.
8.5 meter statue of Lenin fell from 13.7 m counting the pedestal chair. 22.25 (21.25 in Poland). Monument was overthrown after the cut legs form leader of the Bolsheviks. Present when the people shouted “Ukraine over everything!” and sang popular today in Ukraine ditty “Putin ch (…)”.

Administration recommends dismantle the monument
protects the whole action was by special police units armed with machine guns. Advisor to the head of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine Anton Heraszczenko warned earlier that the militiamen were ordered to open fire on those who come to Maidan Freedom of weapons and equipment to the challenge.
Interior Minister Arsen Awakow said in turn, that the police in Kharkov has received the command “only protecting the safety of people,” and not the monument. “Lenin? Let it (…) If only people did not suffer. If only the bloody communist idol has not brought even bigger victims” – wrote on Facebook.
A moment after the overthrow of the monument’s chief of Kharkiv peripheral administration (provincial) issued Regulation “On the settlement of the situation around the monuments of totalitarianism.” The letter instructed to dismantle the monument of Lenin in the main square of Kharkov.

Monument had already tried to overthrow in February, when the Ukraine, after the revolution, a wave of similar actions.

In Kharkiv tried to organize a march Communists
Saturday in Kharkov pro-Russian “peace march” tried to organize local Communists and supporters of separatism. demonstration was banned by the court, and about 20 of the participants who nevertheless wanted organize it, was immediately detained by the police.

In response to Sunday in Kharkov organized march under the slogan “Kharkiv is Ukraine.” Current on-site media reported that it was attended by approx. 8 thousand. persons .

Poroshenko of Donbas: federalization of the country will not be
the evening, the President of Ukraine has once again rejected the possibility of federalization of the country. – Ukraine will remain a unitary state – said Petro Poroshenko on Sunday an interview with Ukrainian television 1 + 1.

In mid-September, the Parliament of Ukraine adopted the Law on the special status of these areas in Donbas, which are dominated by pro-Russian separatists. The Act provides, inter alia, the granting of such status three years to local authorities in areas controlled by the separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk circuit.
President of Ukraine stressed that this is part of the process of decentralization of the state and does not mean its federalization.
– I can assure you that neither sovereignty nor the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine will not be subjects of discussion. We’re talking only about the transfer of certain powers to local levels. This is my plan for the decentralization of power – said Petro Poroshenko.

Despite the truce, shelling continues

Although a third longer ceasefire in eastern Ukraine continues firing position Ukrainian troops. Now we hear that supposedly keep them separate group of separatists. On Sunday it was bombed Donetsk airport and around cities Debaltsevo, Mariupol and Szczastia.

The spokesman of the National Security Council and Defense Andriy Lysenko stresses that the shelling responding to armed militias acting alone, which is not subordinate to any power. Case is handled by a joint group, which includes Russian and Ukrainian military and representatives of the OSCE.
National Security Council and Defense announces that Russia continues to increase its presence in the north of Crimea near the border with the circuit Kherson

PAP / IAR / agkm

Toppled statue of Lenin in Kharkiv. "We've been waiting 20 years" – Polish Radio