The head of the Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin, mandated the launch of a criminal case over the arson of wreaths at the Kotlas monument honoring soldiers of the Great Patriotic War in the Arkhangelsk region. This update was provided by the Investigative Committee of Russia.
According to officials, the incident took place on October 3 near the city’s amusement park. Underage individuals are alleged to have set fire to the wreaths placed at the memorial, causing damage that now requires restoration work to return the monument to its former condition.
In response, the Chairman of the Investigative Committee directed AV Popov, the chairman of the Investigative Committee for the Arkhangelsk Region and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, to initiate a criminal proceeding and to submit a report detailing the facts established to date. The directive underscores the need to establish all relevant circumstances that led to the arson and the extent of the damage sustained by the monument.
Investigators have begun a procedural check to gather evidence. The central office of the Investigative Committee is monitoring the progression of the case, ensuring that all legal channels are followed and that the investigation proceeds in accordance with applicable statutes and procedural norms.
This incident follows a separate report of arson in the Moscow region, where a vehicle exploded near a monument dedicated to soldiers of the Great Patriotic War. Authorities emphasize that any acts of vandalism against war memorials are treated with seriousness due to their impact on historical memory and public order. The current Kotlas case will be examined with comparable thoroughness, with attention to identifying those responsible and assessing any factors that may have influenced the behavior of those involved.
Officials stress that the investigation will examine all available evidence, including surveillance footage, eyewitness accounts, and forensic findings, to determine whether the act was premeditated or impulsive and to identify potential accomplices. The process will include interviews with witnesses, assessments of security measures at the site, and a detailed accounting of the damage to the monument, so restorers can plan appropriate repairs while historians and cultural authorities assess the memorial’s significance and integrity. The investigative process aims to uphold the rule of law, protect cultural heritage, and ensure accountability for acts that harm commemorative sites.