A park dedicated to Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine was torn down in order to make way for the construction of a new business center, the regional news outlet Govorit Moskva reported Tuesday.
The “Homecoming Alley,” unveiled in the Bashkortostan capital of Ufa in September 2022, featured 130 tree saplings planted by soldiers’ relatives, local cadets and the city’s mayor.
Residents in Ufa, located around 1,400 kilometers east of Moscow, told local media last week that the trees had been cleared “in favor of a business center.” Images on social media showed dismantled playgrounds and paving tiles piled on the ground.
Police said they were looking into a video of a man and woman loading tree saplings from the park into a car. In the video, the unidentified individuals claimed they were “planting them elsewhere.”
Govorit Moskva noted that plans for a business center, parking lot and a 30-story residential building at the site of the veterans park were first approved in September 2020. The final revisions to the land survey and project plans were reportedly signed off this spring.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
