Poland Removes Soviet Monument in Rzeszów Amid Decommunization Push
Authorities in Rzeszów dismantled an 8.5-meter Soviet war monument on September 23 as part of Poland's wider campaign to remove communist-era symbols following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The Monument of Gratitude to the Red Army, erected in Rzeszów shortly after World War Two, has been removed by Polish authorities. The 6.6-ton monument stood as a focal point of Poland's ongoing "decommunization" effort—the removal and recontextualization of communist-era public symbols, particularly since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
What Happened
The dismantling began on September 23 in this southeastern Polish city. Part of the monument will be relocated to a nearby Soviet cemetery, while another portion goes to a museum. Russia condemned the removal through its embassy in Warsaw, calling it "barbaric" and citing what it claims are violations of bilateral treaties protecting memorial sites.
The removal represents a continuation of Poland's efforts to reclaim its public spaces from symbols of Soviet occupation and communist rule. Rzeszów is home to multiple contested monuments; the city also hosts the 38-meter Monument to the Revolutionary Struggle, which Poland's Institute of National Remembrance recommended for removal under decommunization law in 2017.
For Foreigners Living in Poland
If you're new to Poland, understanding the decommunization movement is helpful context for navigating Polish historical debates and public spaces. These removals reflect deep historical sensitivities around Soviet occupation (1945–1989) and are unrelated to current Polish-Russian tensions. Cities across Poland continue this process, so you may encounter ongoing monument relocations and public discussions about Poland's historical memory.
Sources
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