I see people accusing the Ukrainians of "erasing history"; this statue was installed in 2007 by pro-Russian, Duganist linked National Bolshevik Ruslan Tarpan - who is now wanted on corruption charges in Ukraine. It's modern, not historic.

Ukraine dismantles statue of Russian Empress Catherine the Great

https://www.euronews.com/culture/2022/12/29/ukraine-dismantles-statue-of-russian-empress-catherine-the-great

https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/ukraine-odesa-catherine-the-great-monument-removed-1234652206/

If, as reported, it will be placed in Odessa museum, this is wrong. For two reasons. In a museum it will be glorified. And sooner or later it might end up in a square again. Want to risk that? Melt it. In public. It’s soviet imperialistic rubbish.