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It said the move was to prevent Russia from bringing in more troops to attack the towns of Lisichansk and Severodonetsk.

Tverdokhlebov, now 80, said he would create a large sketch of the proposed mosaic design, and when it was approved he would then travel personally to a factory in Lisichansk, eastern Ukraine, to order the smalt – specially prepared ceramic tiles made from heating glass.

In the town of Lisichansk, the monument has not been removed but was vandalised just before new year, with red paint poured over Lenin’s head and “I am the butcher of Ukraine” daubed on his body.

Unlike many of the elderly people internally displaced in eastern Ukraine, Anna, 77, managed to salvage some belongings before escaping the conflict in rebel-held Lisichansk.

An oil refinery in Lisichansk, in Luhansk region, is ablaze, the Russian news agency RIA reports.