Lately, there's been an increase in vandalism of Vladimir Lenin’s statues in Russia.
They are blown up, covered in paint and pieces are broken off.

A little-known group has claimed responsibility on their webpage:

[Webpage Quote]:
"Lenin and his followers committed crimes against humanity, which do not have an expiration date. Because of this, we believe it is important to eradicate statues of the Soviet leaders, especially Lenin’s."

In the Soviet Union, Lenin’s statues were placed in every city. Saint Petersburg alone had over 70. People went to these statues during holiday celebrations.

[Dina Muravieva, Resident,  Krasnoe Selo]:
"We came to after the first year of primary school to report that we would continue working. This is where we became young pioneers."

Back then Lenin’s statues were built where Christian churches, blown up by communist rulers, used to stand.

[Nikita Zveryev, Priest]:
"The church was destroyed. In place of our church, Lenin’s statue was placed. This, of course, is unacceptable. It is immoral…We see what has been brought into our country by that regime, that awful regime. It was, obviously extremely bloody, extremely cruel, and extremely horrifying."

Five years ago, Lenin's statue was finally taken down – by unknown individuals late at night. In its place the old church is being restored.

But not everyone's happy.

[Мuravyev, Resident,  Krasnoe Selo]:
"What do you mean, we don’t need memory? The statues are needed too, all of them. This is the history of this country, history of people’s lives."

Some sociologists believe that statues of Lenin and other Soviet rulers have no place in the modern architecture of the city.

[Roman Mogilevsky, Sociologist]:
"I propose, for the statues of the communist era, we should find a place in museums and at the cemeteries."

Currently, in Saint Petersburg, only 11 public statues remain with an unknown number still in factories.

Many residents are ready to say goodbye to Lenin's statues for good.

[Russian Citizen]:
"We have honorable people in history that are more worthy of a memorial than this Lenin."

NTD, Saint Petersburg, Russia.