Vandalism? The Post-Soviet Politics of Color

Soviet soldiers transformed into superheroes in the Bulgarian capital Sofia in June 2011. The text reads: "In step with the time."



A Moscow court on Thursday sentenced roofer Vladimir Podrezov to two years and three months in prison for his role in painting a star on one of Moscow's most iconic Soviet-era skyscrapers in yellow and blue — Ukraine's national colors — in August last year. Four other defendants were cleared of all charges.



We look at other instances where vandals brought color, politics and, in some cases, humor to Soviet landmarks.



Read the story: Ukrainian Flag Stunt Climber Sentenced to 2 Years in Russia

In Nakhodka, a town in Russia's far eastern Primorye region, vandals in 2011 brightened up a monument to Bolshevik revolutionary Vladimir Lenin with green polka dots on a yellow background.

A monument of Lenin wearing pants that have been painted yellow and blue ?€” Ukraine's national colors ?€” in the south-eastern Ukrainian city Berdyansk in September 2014.

On Dec.12, 2014, Constitution Day, vandals in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk painted a monument to Bolshevik revolutionary Vladimir Lenin in the blue-and-yellow colors of the Ukrainian national flag.



The text reads: "Glory to Ukraine!"

A? statue of? Vladimir Lenin in? the Siberian city of? Novosibirsk featuring the? Bolshevik politician wearing a? red face mask and? underpants, and? proclaiming his love for? the Big Apple, in January 2015.

A monument to Vladimir Lenin in Russia's Chelyabinsk, painted in the colors of the Ukrainian national flag by vandals on April 6, 2015.

A monument of Russian singer Iosif Kobzon spraypainted with colors of the Ukrainian national flag in Donetsk, April 2014.



In February, Kobzon, known for his eager support of the annexation of ??rimea and anti-Western rhetoric, was banned from entering the European Union under sanctions imposed on Russia over his role in the Ukraine crisis.

Ukrainian roofer Mustang Wanted scaled a? landmark Moscow skyscraper and? painted a? star at? the top of? the building in? the blue-and-yellow colors of? the Ukrainian national flag in? a burst of? patriotic feeling. He also taped a? Ukrainian flag to? one of? the points of? the star, August 2014.