A man cuts through the foundation of a Soviet statue in Kyiv symbolizing friendship between Ukraine and Russia on Tuesday. Photo: Alexey Furman/VCG

Two men move the disembodied head from the monument. Photo: Alexey Furman/VCG

Two workers prepare the dismantled statue for removal on Tuesday. Photo: Hennadii Minchenko/VCG

People gather to document the monument’s demolition. Photo: Maxym Marusenko/VCG

One of the statue’s heads falls off as the monument is lifted during Tuesday’s operation. Photo: Maxym Marusenko/VCG

Parts of the statue are laid onto a truck to be transported. Photo: Alexey Furman/VCG

The 8-meter-tall statue featuring two men holding up a star-shaped symbol was erected in the 1980s to mark the founding of the Soviet Union in 1922. Photo: Maxym Marusenko/VCG

The arch above the statue, called the People’s Friendship Arch, is to be renamed and illuminated with the colors of the Ukrainian flag, according to Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Photo: Hennadii Minchenko/VCG