Investigative Focus on Destruction of Soviet Monument in Moldova
The Chairman of Russia’s Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin, has ordered a formal inquiry into the dismantling of a monument honoring Soviet soldiers in Moldova. This directive was communicated through the official Telegram channel of the Russian IC, signaling a high-priority procedural response.
According to the published statement, Bastrykin instructed the Main Investigative Chamber to obtain all necessary details from the Russian Foreign Ministry and to conduct a legal assessment of the incident as part of procedural oversight. The aim is to determine the factual circumstances surrounding the act and to evaluate any potential violations of law that may apply under international or domestic norms.
Earlier reports confirmed that a monument dedicated to Soviet soldiers in the village of Stari Bilicheni, located in Moldova’s Singerei district, had been removed. The incident has drawn attention from officials and observers who monitor the status of historical memorials and the protection of cultural property across borders.
In the broader regional context, comments from Moscow have drawn attention to Moldova’s political posture. A deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Galuzin, criticized the Moldovan leadership, arguing that it seeks to present the country as an anti-Russian platform, similar to certain dynamics observed in Ukraine. Such statements underscore the sensitive intersection of cultural heritage, national memory, and geopolitical rhetoric in the region.
Separately, reports indicate vandalism targeting Soviet-era symbols within Moldova. In September, a monument to Vladimir Lenin in Edinet was damaged. Earlier, in August, another act of vandalism occurred near the village of Korpachi, with perpetrators defacing the monument’s base with an offensive inscription and the emblem of the Romanian fascist organization known as the Iron Guard. These incidents reflect ongoing tensions around memorials from the Soviet era and the varying responses of local communities and authorities alike.
The investigation follows prior outreach from Bastrykin in related cases. He previously ordered a review of the desecration case involving a Soviet monument in Bulgaria, demonstrating a pattern of attention to incidents affecting Soviet-era monuments and their symbolic significance in neighboring regions.
Officials emphasize that the inquiry will examine the circumstances surrounding the Moldova incident, the parties involved, and any alleged intent to undermine memory sites associated with the former Soviet Union. The process will also consider applicable laws governing cultural property, vandalism, and international relations, with findings expected to inform ongoing diplomacy and legal accountability. In this framework, the investigation seeks to clarify what occurred, identify responsible individuals, and determine appropriate legal remedies under present statutes. The case is being treated as part of a broader commitment to uphold the rule of law while acknowledging historical legacies and their impact on regional stability. Attribution: Russian Investigative Committee press communications