A powerful explosion hit central Lugansk overnight to 1 August damaging a monument to the Republic’s defenders.
The explosion which awakened many city residents and was heard in many Lugansk districts occurred in the People’s Friendship Park at around 2:00 a.m.
The monument to the Republic’s defenders was partially damaged. The bomb was apparently planted nearby. The extent of damage cannot be seen as the monument is now covered with a canvass and police sealed off the area.
Unidentified persons bombed the monument before. The Cossack militiaman sculpture sustained minor damage in the bombing overnight to 1 September 2016. The monument was restored later in September.
The monument’s unveiling ceremony attended by LPR head Igor Plotnitskiy took place on 12 May 2015, which is Lugansk People’s Republic Day.
Ukraine’s Honoured Artist Viktor Gorbulin led the project. Specialists from Russia, DPR and even Kiev participated in the design and construction stages of the project.