_{Monument removed as part of “de-Russification” of Ukraine}

A monument to the original 18th century founder of Odessa has been removed and relocated after an online vote by residents of the Black Sea port.

50.2% wanted it destroyed completely, 36.12% thought it should stay with a historical explanation, 8.3% voted for it to stay unchanged, while 4.2% wanted it removed to a museum.

The statue was originally erected in 1900, a century after Catherine died and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the city’s founding. In storage since 1920 when it was taken down by the Soviets, it was only restored to its current site in 2007 by the city authorities.

Following Russia’s brutal invasion of the country in February, renewed efforts are underway to do away with any remaining vestiges of and links to Soviet power.

The statue has been repeatedly vandalised since the invasion began.

Sources: Euronews.com; Sky News