The statue of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, the most recognizable tourist symbol of the Danish capital, has appeared this Thursday with the colors of the Russian flag painted on its base.

Danish police have opened a vandalism investigation into the attack on the famous sculpture located next to the Langelinie harbour, visited annually by more than a million tourists and that in its more than 110 years of existence it has been used many times as an object for political claims.

The Little Mermaid has been beheaded three times, her arm has been torn off and she was even blown up with explosives from its granite pedestal, in addition to appearing painted in various colors or dressed in soccer jerseys, veils or a Ku Klux Klan tunic.

From being the main target of feminist anger in previous decades, it became used for all kinds of political demands, from those of squatter movements to those of xenophobic groups. The Danish government has stood out for its clear support for Ukraine in the face of Russian military intervention, both economic and military, with various aid packages.

For example, the Danish Parliament approved two days ago, taking advantage of the absolute majority enjoyed by the center government headed by the Social Democrats, abolish a public holiday to increase defense spending, despite massive opposition from the population, the opposition, the trade unions and the Lutheran National Church.