with the architectural experiments of the Soviet avant-garde of the 1920s. The building's exterior combines vertical protrusions with mirrored openings between them. The façades are clad in white Ural marble and anodised aluminium. Red Karbakhta granite, Koelga marble and patterned Baku tuff, and various types of wood were used inside. A gilded coat-of-arms of the USSR, made by sculptor Alexei Zelenski, was located above the main entrance. The symbol was later replaced by the coat of arms of the Russian Federation. The interior decoration of the palace was done by the artist Alexander Deineka, who made mosaic emblems in the banquet hall and the frieze in the foyer. Party congresses in the Kremlin Palace In popular culture In Tom Clancy's 1986 novel Red Storm Rising, the building is bombed in a false-flag operation by the KGB to justify an invasion of Western Europe, with West Germany being framed for the attack. The building is depicted as being the meeting place for the Council of Ministers. Ordinarily, the Council convened in the Kremlin Senate, which is explained in the novel as being closed for repairs. See also Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Palace of the Republic House of the Unions Palace of the Soviets Great Hall of the People, Beijing April 25 House of Culture, Pyongyang External links Official site Description on the Official page of the Kremlin museum Description on the Official page of the Presidency Satellite shot centred on the building References Legislative buildings in Europe Palaces in Moscow Government buildings in Russia Government buildings completed in 1961 Moscow Kremlin Theatres in Moscow Music venues in Russia Headquarters of political parties