Ukraine's Monument War

Ukraine began 2011 with a war of monuments. The most significant blow of the ‘conflict’ thus far was struck on 31^st December, when a monument to Stalin in Zaporizhzhia was blown up. The monument was erected by the local Communist party on the territory of its headquarters in 2010. The bust was reportedly decapitated on 28 December, before its complete destruction on New Year’s Eve. The authorities have reacted robustly to the incident, according to Dzerkalo Tyzhnia and other Ukrainian media, arresting members of nationalist organizations throughout Ukraine. The culprits are wanted on charges of terrorism.

'Stalin's Back'

BBC's John Sweeney explores the contemporary rehabilitation of Stalin here. An interview with Aleksandr Filippov, author of the now-infamous textbook Istoriia Rossii 1945-2007, occurs at the 24-, 28-, 33-, and 38- minute marks.

The programme will be available until 9 December 09.