CNN  — 

CNN has withdrawn the story “The world’s ugliest monuments” because it was not of the standard we would expect of a CNN report.

The story caused unnecessary upset in Russia and Belarus with its description of the Courage Monument in Brest, Belarus.

CNN apologizes for the unintended offense caused by an article from a contributor that was commissioned to be a humorous look at monumental architecture worldwide. Neither the piece that was commissioned nor the edits made by CNN were consistent with our standards.

We recognize that the Courage Monument carries deep and significant symbolism in honoring the soldiers who gave their lives defending their nation.

CNN also apologizes to Zurab Tsereteli, the creator of another monument listed in the article called “To The Struggle Against World Terrorism”.