A Soviet-era monument celebrating Ukraines bond with Russia was destroyed at the command of Kyivs mayor on Tuesday.

The huge bronze statue was 26 feet tall, and showed a Ukrainian and a Russian worker on a plinth, holding a Soviet order of friendship.

It was a symbolic gift from the Soviet Union to commemorate the reunification of Ukraine with Russia, but it had become increasingly controversial over the years as tensions between the countries grew.

The monument stood right under the titanium Peoples Friendship Arch, which is still standing. The rainbow-shaped structure stretches up to 164 feet, and was built in 1982 to honor the 60th anniversary of the Soviet Union.

Explaining why he had taken the decision to remove the bronze statue, Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said: We now see what this friendship is destruction of Ukrainian cities... killing tens of thousands of peaceful people.

I am convinced such a monument has an entirely different meaning now.

This place had a name, the place of friendship between Russia and Ukraine, he added. Its no friendship anymore.