CNN has apologized for what it called the "unintended offense" caused by an article that included a revered World War II monument in Brest, Belarus, on its list of the "world's ugliest monuments."
In a statement on February 7, CNN editors said that the story had been withdrawn after it "caused unnecessary upset in Russia and Belarus."
The CNN story -- posted on its website the previous day -- sparked a public outcry in Russia, with the Russian Embassy in Washington, Russian State Duma members, the presidential Human Rights Council, and the Moscow Helsinki Group all condemning the article.
The monument and a nearby memorial complex were built by the Soviet Union to commemorate the defenders of the Brest Fortress, which became a symbol of Soviet resistance to the invasion of Nazi troops in June 1941.
In a statement on February 7, CNN editors said that the story had been withdrawn after it "caused unnecessary upset in Russia and Belarus."
The CNN story -- posted on its website the previous day -- sparked a public outcry in Russia, with the Russian Embassy in Washington, Russian State Duma members, the presidential Human Rights Council, and the Moscow Helsinki Group all condemning the article.
The monument and a nearby memorial complex were built by the Soviet Union to commemorate the defenders of the Brest Fortress, which became a symbol of Soviet resistance to the invasion of Nazi troops in June 1941.