Moscow Scolds Sofia For 'Acts of Vandalism' Against Monuments

In 2011 the soldiers of the Soviet army monument in Sofia were painted as American pop culture figures. Photo: BGNES

Russia urges Bulgarian authorities to put an end to all acts of painting and otherwise “decorating” Soviet army monuments in Bulgaria, reports ITAR-TASS.

In an official statement, dated September 9, Russia's foreign ministry urges the authorities “to  decisively terminate the acts of vandalism and mockery of the memory of Soviet warriors, who fell for the liberation of Bulgaria and Europe from fascism”.

“The most recent attempt of ultra-right circles in Bulgaria to deface the monument of the Soviet army in Sofia in the night of September 7 causes nothing but outrage”, the statement read. “It is most cynical that this act of vandalism was planned for the eve of September 9 – the 70-th anniversary of the liberation of Bulgarian from fascism.”

According to Russia's foreign ministry, by defacing the Soviet army monument  the “right-wing radicals” were aiming at “representing in a negative light the centuries old friendship between Russia and Bulgaria and our help and support for the Bulgarian people.”

The reaction of Russia's foreign ministry comes in response to the arrest of four activists of the Democrats for Strong Bulgaria party who tried to paint “Occupiers” on the Soviet army monument in downtown Sofia. 

It was the latest of many paintings and decorations of the monument, which started with the 2011 painting of the soldiers at the foot of the monument as American pop culture figures.

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