Yeltsin revives Lenin's guard
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.President Boris Yeltsin decreed the reinstatement yesterday of Russia's Honour Guard No 1, which used to keep watch over Lenin's tomb on Red Square.
But the new troop, which takes up its post on Friday when Russia celebrates its post-communist 1993 constitution, will not honour the mausoleum of the Bolshevik leader but the nearby Second World War memorial, the tomb of the unknown soldier.
The original guard was created in 1924, to patrol the tomb where Lenin was laid in state. Yeltsin disbanded the unit four years ago after defeating an armed rebellion by the communist-era parliament.
The embalmed body of the Bolshevik leader still lies preserved in its granite mausoleum, its eventual fate a bone of fierce contention between liberals and communists.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments