Russian flag to stay on Sudbury's Bridge of Nations, but coming down at Sault Ste. Marie city hall

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has some Sudburians requesting a change to one of the city's landmarks.

The Bridge of Nations over thedowntown trainyardsis lined with 92 flags representing the different cultural communities that make up Greater Sudbury.

The Russian flag is one of them.

Since the war began in Ukraine, some have called Sudbury city hall requesting it come down, but it will be staying put.

Ursula Sauve, who came upwith the idea for the Bridge of Nations and still co-chairs the committee overseeing it, says their policy from the beginning has been to keep the flags apolitical.

"We definitely always made a point of making sure that it doesn't become a political statement," she said.

"The Russian flag on the bridge represents the local Russian community, not Putin."

Sauve said they have also denied other requests to remove or lower flags since they first started flying over Paris Street in 2007.

In Sault Ste. Marie, Mayor Christian Provenzano announced on social media that the Russian flag at city hall is coming down.

"Ukraine's example of courage deserves our collective respect, gratitude and support," he wrote on Twitter.

"As an act of solidarity with Ukraine and our own Ukrainian community here in the city, the Russian flag flying in front of city hall will be taken down. It will remain down so long as Russia continues its unlawful and unprovoked attackagainst Ukraine."