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Redecoration of Lenin's tomb nearing completion on schedule

The takeover of the works has been scheduled for April 29 and the days remaining before that date are filled with adding the last finishing touches

MOSCOW, April 23 (Itar-Tass) – Complete redecoration of Vladimir Lenin's Mausoleum on Red Square by the eastern wall of the Kremlin is practically over. An inflatable cupula over the mausoleum that served as a protective cover for the works sinced December 2012, was deflated and disassembled by April 22, the birthday of the world's biggest revolutionary of all time.

"As it was scheduled initially, repairs of the Mausoleum's foundation is practically over and granite slabs are now being laid," Sergei Devyatov, an official spokesman for the Federal Guard Service of the Russian Federation said.

The takeover of the works has been scheduled for April 29 and the days remaining before that date are filled with adding the last finishing touches, which include the amelioration of the territory adjoining the Mausoleum. .

Itar-Tass reporter who visited the place saw with his own eyes that some of the details of the traditiona entourage were missing. One of the details was the shrubs of juniper that would previously stretch practically all over the place behind the Mausoleum

"It is not ruled out today that a second phase of reconstruction works may eventually be needed after the first one so as to remove the additions, which destroy the integrity of the foundation and hydroinsulation," Devyatov said.

Decisions on the second phase will be taken at the end of May but as for now, there should not be impediments to celebration of Russia's Victory Day and the traditional parade that will be held on Red Square May 9.

The Mausoleum underwent repairs, since experts feared the condition of its sagging foundation.

Since the works were done during wintertime, the inflatable dome was installed over it and the temperatures of above Zero C were maintained inside it.

Lenin's body remained in the Mausoleum during the works.

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