"Unfortunately, the structure of the 'Heart' art object couldn't withstand the strong winds. <…> As we expected, the structure is dilapidated. The metal parts of the base are completely rusted," the mayor said. Valentin Demidov.

The "Heart" stood in the center of Belgorod for 10 years. And after a massive shelling The city's December 30, 2023, bombing that killed 25 Belgorod residents became a spontaneous memorial and received the unofficial name "Wounded Heart" because it was pierced by shrapnel.

According to the mayor, specialists will "assess the condition of the art object" and decide on its future "taking into account the opinions expressed by city residents during public discussions." This discussion took place in March and concerned the creation of a "place of remembrance and worship" for Belgorod residents who died during the current war. It was proposed at the time that the "Wounded Heart" monument be preserved as a "symbol of one of the most terrible days in Belgorod's history." The new memorial will be in the form of an angel with heart-shaped wings, holding a dead child.

Previously, the Belgorod governor brought a copy of "Wounded Heart" to VDNKh, where it became part of an exhibition dedicated to the region. In Moscow, the art object became the subject of pompous statements from pro-government figures, such as "this heart, pierced by shrapnel, became the heart of Russia."