War Memorial of Cornell University, in direction of McFaddin Hall. Ithaca, New York, November 10, 2005
A World War II soldiers memorial in Myasnitskiy Bor (?), north from Novgorod. Russia, August 1, 2001
A bronze Statue of the Three Servicemen in Vietnam War Veterans Memorial at rainy day. Washington DC, February 4, 1998.
A bronze sculpture in Vietnam War Veterans Memorial at rainy day. Washington DC, February 4, 1998.
Korean War Veterans Memorial with Washington Monument at background. Washington DC, February 4, 1998.
A wooden cabin near World War II soldiers memorial in Myasnitskiy Bor (?), north from Novgorod. Russia, August 1, 2001
This constructivist funerary sculpture on the Communist Section of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra marks the 1921 grave of Nikolay Vasilyevich Bakhvalov, remembered in Petrograd lore as one of the pioneer automobile drivers and motor mechanics of early revolutionary Russia. In the chaotic aftermath of the Civil War, professional chauffeurs and mechanics formed an indispensable technical corps operating transport trucks and armored vehicles, prompting local authorities to allocate Bakhvalov a burial site within the monastery s inner courtyard. Eschewing stone stelae and traditional Orthodox funerary emblems, the memorial was fabricated by fellow workers from authentic mechanical components representing the deceased s trade. The structure rests on a concrete plinth anchored by paired cast-iron spoked wheels, surmounted by horizontal spur gears and transmission rings. Heavy roller drive chains--the type utilized in early chain-driven motorcars and industrial machinery--extend upward in a triangular pyramid to meet a central vertical shaft and finial that originally displayed a metal nameplate. Created during the War Communism era, the monument represents a rare surviving specimen of early Soviet Productivist and Proletkult memorial art. By assembling discarded industrial hardware into an emblem of proletarian labor and mechanized modernization directly opposite baroque monastic architecture, the work embodied the early Bolshevik effort to replace religious mourning traditions with a secular cult of the machine. Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 25, 2011
World War Memorial in Indianapolis (stars are reminiscent of communist symbols) and Scottish Rite Cathedral. Indiana, May 4, 1999.
Abandoned World War II memorial on territory of Red Banner (Krasnoe Znamia) Textile Factory on Pionerskaya Street in Petrogradskaya Storona neighborhood. Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 9, 2012
War memorial in front of Stella Mare Church in Haifa. The Middle East, October 26, 2002
An Israeli helicopter returning after bombing(?) of Bethlehem, viewed from the war memorial at Beit Meir, west from Jerusalem. The Middle East, April 10, 2002
This grave marker on the Communist Section of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra commemorates Pyotr Petrovich Petrov (1883-1925), an early Bolshevik revolutionary and Soviet worker-cadre buried during the First Five-Year Plan s formative years. Like many party functionaries interred along the courtyard s central avenues, Petrov died in the mid-1920s during the arduous post-Civil War reconstruction of Petrograd . The memorial consists of a weathered concrete and stone stele characteristic of the modest, egalitarian funerary aesthetic favored for early Soviet party members . Flanked by iron railings and spring greenery, the unadorned headstone preserves an austere, secular tribute to an early Soviet activist laid to rest within the historic monastery courtyard. Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 29, 2014
World War II memorial in Shlisselburg Fortress. Orekhovy Island, Leningradskaya Region, Russia, July 27, 2012
World War II memorial inside Cathedral ruins in Shlisselburg Fortress. Orekhovy Island, Leningradskaya Region, Russia, July 27, 2012
This monument on the Communist Section of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra marks the grave of Mikhail Abramovich Fishman (1890-1935), a Bolshevik cadre and Civil War veteran. Prominently situated along the main avenue facing the entrance to Holy Trinity Cathedral, the grave is known locally as the "Sentry" (:0427:0430:0441:043e:0432:043e:0439). The memorial features a full-length, life-size statue of a Red Army soldier standing vigil against a dark, round-topped granite stele. Clad in a belted greatcoat (shinel), cartridge pouches, and a peaked budenovka cloth helmet bearing a star, the bronze-toned figure holds a slung Mosin rifle at attention. Placed directly on monastery ground during the height of militant Soviet secularism, the armed revolutionary guard stands as an unmistakable ideological statement, posted as an eternal sentinel facing the Orthodox cathedral. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 18, 2016
The ideological complexity of the war s memorialization, dominated by a large red Soviet flag flying prominently over fresh graves, invoking nostalgia for the USSR s military power alongside Russian tricolors and VDV (Airborne Forces) banners. In the foreground, the grave of Arkady Vasilyevich Kovalchuk (1974-2024), who died at age 50, exemplifies the demographic trend of older men bearing a significant share of casualties. The scene is one of dense, vibrant mourning, with mounds of artificial flowers covering the raw earth, set against a backdrop of modern commercial buildings that anchor the cemetery in the contemporary urban landscape. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025
The "initial stage" of memorialization, where fresh earthen graves are crowded with temporary wooden crosses and a profusion of military banners, including the VDV (Airborne Forces) and St. Andrew[CloseCurlyQuote]s Naval flags. The foreground features the grave of Mikhail Ilyich Svyatkin (1986-2025), a 39-year-old casualty, whose cross is adorned with a framed photo of him in uniform, exemplifying the typical profile of recent losses. The scene is saturated with patriotic symbols, including a flag depicting a tank with the slogan "Victory will be ours" and another with the Order of the Great Patriotic War, linking the current conflict to historical narratives of Soviet heroism. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025
The "permanent stage" of memorialization, featuring a row of polished black granite monuments for soldiers such as Andrey Nikolaevich Atlanov (1977-2024) and Danila Denisovich Shutov (2001-2024), a 23-year-old whose age underscores the ongoing loss of young lives. The monuments display diverse portrait styles--ranging from formal military engravings to casual color photos--and are flanked by flags including the VDV (Airborne Forces) banner with the motto "Nobody, but us," reflecting both individual identity and collective unit pride. The orderly arrangement of these finished graves, complete with granite curbs and gravel, stands in contrast to the chaotic temporary sections seen in other places, illustrating the gradual formalization of the war s toll. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025
This is the No~elasilma ("Eye of the Needle") Gate, a reconstructed section of the medieval urban fabric located at the end of Niguliste Street. Originally, this area was a densely built-up part of the Old Town, near the historic Harju Gate. However, the neighborhood was largely destroyed during the March 1944 Soviet bombing, which leveled about 20% of Tallinn s buildings, particularly in the Harju and Niguliste street areas. The ruins stood for decades before the area was cleared and later redeveloped as a green space and memorial. The No~elasilma Gate itself was reconstructed in 2006-2007 as part of an effort to restore the medieval street network and mark the historical boundary of the former churchyard. The structure consists of two limestone walls with arched openings, mimicking the narrow passageways typical of the medieval city. Looking through the gate, you see the cobblestones of Niguliste Street. In the background stands a distinct corner tower with a red tiled roof, part of the residential block that survived or was restored after the war. The modern apartment buildings on the left (Harju Street area) are post-war constructions, filling the void left by the bombing. The gate now serves as a poignant reminder of the city s lost layers and its resilience. Estonia, October 16, 2025
A temporary protest installation located directly in front of the Russian Embassy at Pikk 19 in Tallinn s Old Town. The barricades and posters are situated along the sidewalk of Pikk Street, facing the embassy building. This narrow, historic street has become a focal point for public demonstrations since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The installation serves as a persistent protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It features Ukrainian flags, anti-war messages, graphic images of war damage (such as destroyed buildings in Ukrainian cities), and tributes to figures like Alexei Navalny. The display transforms a section of the picturesque Old Town into a politically charged space, forcing diplomats and passersby to confront the realities of the conflict. The protest materials are often updated by activists and local residents to reflect ongoing events. The sign "If they decide to kill me, it means we are incredibly strong - Navalny" references the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, whose death in prison in February 2024 sparked renewed gatherings and memorials at this exact spot. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
A view of the installation specifically focuses on the memorial dedicated to Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader who died in a penal colony on February 16, 2024. The central poster explicitly states "PUTIN KILLED NAVALNY" in bold red and black letters, echoing the sentiments of protestors worldwide who hold the Kremlin responsible for his death. Below the text is a large, stylized black-and-white portrait of Navalny, marked with the date of his death, February 16, 2024. The main poster is surrounded by smaller photos, drawings, and messages from supporters, including a quote in Russian: "Everything will be fine. And even if it isn t, we will console ourselves that we were honest people". The memorial is integrated into the broader anti-war protest, with signs like "STOPTHEWAR" and "NETVOYNE" (No to War) visible alongside Ukrainian colors. A yellow poster in the background calls for freedom for political prisoners ("SVOBODU POLITZAKLYUCHONNYM"). Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
This colorful section of the installation outside the Russian Embassy on Pikk Street uses provocative imagery and slogans to confront the Russian leadership. The poster on the bottom left depicts Vladimir Putin lying dead in a coffin with a Soviet flag. The text "Putin Z-dokh" is a pun, combining the pro-war "Z" symbol with the Russian verb for "croaked" or "died like an animal." The English text "Sooner rather than later" expresses a wish for the end of his regime. "Paljastame, kes saavad Kremli raha Eestis": The red poster on the right translates from Estonian as "We reveal who receives Kremlin money in Estonia." It depicts a stylized Kremlin tower with a skull and bundles of cash at the base, addressing concerns about Russian influence operations and corruption within Estonia. A black-and-white photo of Alexei Navalny with yellow and blue ribbons hangs near the top, keeping the memory of the opposition leader alive as a symbol of resistance. "Bloody Hand": The black poster on the far right features a red handprint with names written on it, symbolizing blood guilt. It is titled with a name (partially obscured, possibly "ODANIEL") and includes lists of names, likely implicating individuals or entities considered complicit in the war or sympathetic to the Kremlin. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
An informal protest memorial outside the Russian Embassy on Pikk Street combines Ukrainian flags, photographs of war damage, anti-war messages, and portraits of victims of political repression. The embassy has been a gathering place for protests against Russia[CloseCurlyQuote]s full-scale invasion of Ukraine since February 2022; tributes to Alexei Navalny were added following his death in prison on February 16, 2024. A large portrait of Navalny carries the accusation [OpenCurlyDoubleQuote]Putin killed Navalny,[CloseCurlyDoubleQuote] while nearby posters call for freedom for political prisoners and warn against threats to Ukraine and the Baltic states. Flowers, candles, ribbons, and handwritten notes placed along the metal barriers turn the pavement beside the pink, arched-window fac,ade into a shared space for mourning and political dissent. Tallinn, Estonia, August 26, 2026
Outside the Russian Embassy on Pikk Street, metal barriers carry an improvised protest display of photographs, Ukrainian blue-and-yellow ribbons, political posters, and appeals for prisoners[CloseCurlyQuote] freedom. Flowers, votive candles, and soft toys line the curb beneath them, combining political protest with remembrance. A raised hand making a V sign projects above the railing, while a photograph of a damaged apartment block places the consequences of war directly beside the embassy entrance. Behind the display, the embassy[CloseCurlyQuote]s pink fac,ade has incised lines imitating stone blocks, round-arched windows, and a recessed doorway beneath a projecting white canopy. The official plaque identifies the diplomatic mission in Russian and Estonian; security cameras overlook the entrance and the memorial immediately outside. Tallinn, Estonia, August 26, 2026
