Monument to the Soviet Army, Sofia

On Victory Day, commemorating the end of World War II, the coalition "Solidary Bulgaria" marked the occasion with a symbolic gesture at the dismantled monument to the Soviet army in Sofia. With flowers adorning the fence and an inscription declaring "There will be a monument here again!", the coalition reiterated its commitment to restoring the monument.

The Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Eleonora Mitrofanova, indicated in an interview with RTVI television that Moscow does not exclude the possibility of moving Soviet monuments from Bulgaria to Russia.

A gathering of citizens in front of Plovdiv's Municipal Council building voiced their opposition on Wednesday to a controversial proposal suggesting the relocation of the "Alyosha" Monument to the Soviet Army.

The Administrative Court in Sofia has ordered an immediate cessation of the dismantling of the Monument to the Soviet Army. The decision, however, arrives after the completion of the removal of the monument's last section earlier today.

This verdict comes in response to a plea submitted by the pro-Russian party "Vazrazhdane". The court's ruling emphasizes several key factors:

Piece by piece, the dismantling of the Monument to the Soviet Army from the center of Sofia continues.

Today, a part of the third main figure - that of a Bulgarian worker - was cut off and removed. The removed fragment was placed next to the already dismantled parts of the sculptures.

The dismantling of the Monument to the Soviet Army in the center of Sofia continues for the third day. This morning, the head of the Soviet soldier was removed from the top of the monument.

The dismantling of the Monument to the Soviet Army began, the top of the monument was cut off. This is happening against the background of protests, accompanied by passions, extreme political assessments and comments throughout yesterday. Blockade of Orlov Bridge, police cordon, injured MP from BSP, marches in defense.

This morning, a contentious dismantling of sections of the Monument to the Soviet Army in Sofia sparked outrage and led to a fierce protest orchestrated by the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP).

"Bulgaria, without noticing it, has been on the path of rehabilitation of Nazism for a long time".

This is said in the official position of Maria Zakharova - spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of the removal of the Monument to the Soviet Army, also known as MOCHA - Monument of the Red Army of Occupation.

"Dismantling of the Monument to the Soviet Army officially begins today", Sofia regional governor Vyara Todeva announced in front of the monument. According to her, the scaffolding around the monument is about to be completed, after which the tallest figures will be dismantled.

"Then everything will be sorted and described on the spot," she explained.