Russian occupation authorities have unveiled a bust of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin in the Ukrainian city of Melitopol, marking the first such monument erected in seized territory since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. The unveiling took place Thursday as part of Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, commemorating its role in defeating Nazi Germany during World War II.
Soviet flags waved and chants of “For the fatherland! For Stalin! Hoorah!” echoed through the occupied city as members of the Russian Communist Party and Kremlin-installed local officials honored the man responsible for the deaths of millions. The bust was reportedly funded by donations from residents of the occupied city, according to Taras Genov, the head of the Communist Party in the Zaporizhzhia region.
A plaque on the bust praises Stalin as “the organizer and inspirer of the victory of the Soviet people over the Nazi invaders.” The message fails to mention Stalin’s role in the brutal oppression of Eastern Europe and his genocidal campaign against Ukraine during the Holodomor, a man-made famine from 1932 to 1933 that killed an estimated four million Ukrainians. Recognized by many nations as a genocide, the Holodomor remains one of the darkest chapters in Ukrainian history.
The erection of Stalin’s bust underscores Russia’s growing campaign to glorify its Soviet past. Russian President Vladimir Putin has spent years rehabilitating Stalin’s image, constructing over a hundred similar monuments across Russia and its controlled territories. In April, Putin signed a decree renaming Volgograd International Airport back to “Stalingrad,” reflecting a broader effort to revive Soviet-era nationalism.
Putin claims these moves honor Soviet victory in the “Great Patriotic War,” Russia’s term for World War II. Critics argue the campaign is designed to build support for Moscow’s authoritarian policies and its aggressive actions toward neighboring countries, especially Ukraine.
The Stalin bust in Melitopol is viewed by Ukrainians not as a tribute to historical victory, but as a symbol of renewed oppression. For many, it signals Russia’s intention to restore Soviet dominance and erase Ukraine’s sovereignty through military conquest and cultural subjugation.
