++INCLUDES SWEARING++

Russian authorities on Saturday demolished an unfinished 220-metre television tower in the city of Yekaterinburg.

A controlled explosion at the base of the structure brought the tower crashing to the ground with small cloud of dust.

Work on the famous tower began in 1983 but was never completed due to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The structure was frequently used for illegal base jumps but had to be sealed off after several deaths.

The tallest unfinished tower in the western part of Russia got knocked down today. It had been a very important part of Yekaterinburg's history and image since 1980's. Many people had done parachute jumps from it as long as committed many suicide acts by jumping down. A few people had been protesting against such a decision that the government made but still couldn't stop their plans. They're intending to build yet another hockey arena here instead, as if they've forgotten we already have two just a block away.