Russia-Ukraine war: Soviet 'friendship monument' taken down in Kyiv

Ukrainian authorities dismantled the Monument of People's Friendship on Tuesday, a statue overlooking the Dnieper River in Kyiv, representing Russian-Ukrainian friendship.

The installation was gifted to Ukraine by the Soviet government in 1982 as a symbol of the relationship between Russia and Ukraine.

Mykhailo Khomenko, who participated in ceremony of opening the monument, recalls that day.

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"I remember we were wearing historical suits, jackets, national trousers, so there was a choreographic-pantomimic composition," he told the Associated Press.

Kyiv City Council announced Monday that it would remove the statue along with 60 other monuments in the capital.

"It should have been removed 30 years ago. But now is also fine. It`s better to do it later than never. We waited so long," said Nadiya Orlova.