Ukrainian artist transforms Lenin statue into Darth Vader

A Ukrainian artist has given a fitting nod to Lenin, transforming a statue of the Soviet dictator into Darth Vader.

The monument, located in the compound of an Odessa factory, was modified by artist, designer and animator Oleksandr Milov, and made its debut on October 22.

It incorporates the statue’s existing design with that of the iconic villain from the Star Wars film series.

The restoration, instigated by factory employees and local residents, saw Mr Milov applying a paste to strengthen the weakened statue.

He then dressed it in Darth Vader’s visored helmet and cape, reportedly made of titanium alloy.

The Sith lord’s mantle has not only lent the statue a new menacing air – it’s also seen as its salvation.

Until recently, the statue faced demolition as part of a “decommunisation” process, which has seen symbols of the countries’ communist past systematically effaced.

"After the de-communisation law was adopted earlier this year, we had to decide what to do with the monument [of Lenin]," Mr Milov explained, the ABC reports.

“Honestly, I did not like the idea of destroying it, so we decided on a more flexible solution."

For many Ukrainians, Lenin is a symbol of Russian’s totalitarian reign, which officially came to an end with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Last year, a number of political candidates dressed as Darth Vader during their campaigns for the mayorships of Odessa and the country’s capital, Kiev.

Mr Milov purportedly has plans to install a WiFi router in the Sith lord’s head, so that he can “communicate with other Siths” - a tongue-in-cheek reference to Vader's telepathic abilities.