This 1978 Soviet collectible postcard showcases the V. I. Lenin monument and the administrative building on the central square of Krasnodon (now Sorokyne), Voroshylovhrad Oblast, Ukrainian SSR.
What is shown on the postcard
The postcard depicts the V. I. Lenin monument erected on a tall, dark granite rectangular pedestal inscribed with “В. И. ЛЕНИН”. In the lower right corner, the dark parapet cladding features the commemorative dates “1870–1970”, marking the centenary of the Soviet leader’s birth.
In the background on the left is a three-story administrative building made of light-colored brick with a flag on its roof. Pedestrians, including school children in Soviet uniforms, and tall curved street lamps are visible in the square.
Historical note
The monument to Vladimir Lenin in Krasnodon was unveiled in 1970 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth. The monument occupied a prominent place on the city’s main square, directly in front of the local City Executive Committee and Communist Party Committee building.
Founded in 1914 as the Sorokyne mine, the city was renamed Krasnodon in 1938. In the Soviet era, it became famous for the wartime exploits of the “Young Guard” underground resistance group, making it a major patriotic tourist destination.
Present day
Under Ukrainian decommunization laws enacted in 2015–2016, the Lenin monument was slated for dismantling, and Krasnodon was officially renamed Sorokyne by the Ukrainian Parliament. However, as Ukraine has not held administrative control over the area since 2014, the monument remains in place, and the city continues to operate under its Soviet-era name locally.
Location (map)
Address: Lenin Square, Sorokyne (Krasnodon), Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine
Coordinates: 48.298780, 39.736360
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Precise geographical coordinates of the Lenin monument on the central square of Sorokyne (Krasnodon).
Questions and answers
- When was this Lenin monument in Krasnodon erected? The monument was erected in 1970 to mark the 100th anniversary of Lenin’s birth, as indicated by the “1870–1970” inscription on the parapet.
- What is the building on the left side of the postcard? It is a three-story administrative building that housed the local Soviet executive and party committees, currently serving as the city hall.
- What is the current official name of Krasnodon? Under Ukrainian law, the city was officially renamed Sorokyne in 2016, though it remains under de facto Russian/LPR control under its previous name, Krasnodon.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Sorokyne from 1978.
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