Buratino Statue Removed from Kyiv Kindergarten
Authorities in Kyiv have dismantled a statue of Buratino, a fairy-tale character, from the grounds of a kindergarten in the Akademmistechko district. The police clarified that the removal was due to the sculpture's hazardous condition, which posed a potential risk to children, and was not part of any political decolonization initiative. The statue was officially decommissioned following a formal request from the director of Preschool Institution No. 472, which was once named after the character. Buratino, a Russian literary figure, has been a popular children's character in the region for decades.
How the Dismantling Unfolded
A maintenance worker carried out the removal as part of scheduled work. Video footage of the statue being taken down appeared on social media on March 10, 2026, showing two men dismantling the figure. The character originates from a story by Russian writer Alexei Tolstoy. While the statue was beloved by the children, its deteriorating state had become a cause for concern. It is important to note that Kyiv's process of renaming places associated with its Soviet past began over 35 years ago, long before Ukraine's independence, but in this instance, the reasons were purely technical.
The incident highlights the ongoing priority of child safety in educational settings, where hazardous structures must be addressed promptly. It also underscores the necessity for regular maintenance and safety assessments of playground and educational installations. Although unrelated to current political changes, the removal inevitably draws attention to the complex cultural legacy such symbols represent in Ukrainian society today.