This 1981 Soviet collectible postcard features the “Ukraine to Liberators” monument, erected on the outskirts of Uzhhorod near the Soviet-Czechoslovak border to commemorate the completion of battles for the liberation of Ukraine.
What is shown on the postcard
The postcard shows a massive bronze figure of a Soviet soldier holding a banner in one hand and a submachine gun in the other. The sculpture is mounted on a pedestal of rough-hewn stone resembling a ruined pillbox. To the right of the monument, a large natural boulder features an inscription in Ukrainian, stating that the battles of the Soviet forces during World War II ended here.
Historical note
The monument was officially inaugurated on May 8, 1970, to mark the 25th anniversary of the victory over Nazism. The project was created by sculptors I. S. Znoba and V. I. Znoba, along with architects O. A. Stukalov and A. A. Snitsarev. The statue stood 11 meters tall, weighed approximately 19 tons, and symbolized the state border where the expulsion of Axis forces from the Ukrainian SSR was finalized in October 1944.
Present day
On November 9, 2022, as part of the de-communization and de-Russification efforts in Ukraine, the “Ukraine to Liberators” monument near the Uzhhorod border checkpoint was completely dismantled due to safety concerns regarding its structural integrity and decisions by local authorities. Today, only an empty hill remains at the site.
Location (map)
Address: Sobranetska St, Uzhhorod, Zakarpattia Oblast, Ukraine (near the border)
Coordinates: 48.622500, 22.251900
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the former location of the monument near the Uzhhorod checkpoint on the Slovak border..
Questions and answers
- Where was this monument located? The monument was located on the outskirts of Uzhhorod, right at the state border crossing with Slovakia, near the international checkpoint.
- When and by whom was the monument created? The monument was opened on May 8, 1970. It was created by sculptors I. S. Znoba and V. I. Znoba, alongside architects O. A. Stukalov and A. A. Snitsarev.
- Does the monument exist today? No, the monument was completely dismantled in November 2022 during de-communization processes.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Uzhhorod from 1981.
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