It was not known when the vandalism took place. The rock was painted in stripes white, blue and red. No one has taken responsibility for the act.
DENMARK'S LITTLE MERMAID STATUE VANDALIZED WITH 'RACIST FISH' GRAFFITI
The Russian flag is painted on the stone where the Little Mermaid sits after the statue was vandalized in Copenhagen, Denmark, on March 2, 2023. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
The statue was created in tribute to the Danish storyteller Andersen. It has long been a popular target for vandals, who have previously blown the mermaid off her perch, beheaded her and painted her.
The bronze is based on a mythical sea king’s mermaid daughter who, according to the Hans Christian Andersen tale, falls in love with a prince and longs to become human.