Ukraine's Motherland Monument in Kyiv undergoes removal of Soviet symbols

Workers in Kyiv, Ukraine, have replaced the Soviet symbols on the iconic Motherland monument with Ukraine's national trident, marking a significant step in breaking away from the country's Soviet past and Moscow's influence. The move is part of Ukraine's ongoing "decommunization" efforts, which have intensified since Russia's invasion last year. The cultural shift towards a stronger Ukrainian identity, accompanied by a political tilt towards the West, has angered Russian President Vladimir Putin and was used as a justification for the invasion. Ukraine outlawed Soviet symbols in 2015, and since then, numerous statues, street names, and public art associated with the Soviet Union have been removed or renamed.