Russia has sent a diplomatic note of protest to Armenia following the vandalism of a memorial dedicated to the Heroes of World War II in Gyumri, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Thursday.
“This sacrilegious act is not merely hooliganism but a deliberate attack on the historical memory shared by our countries and an attempt to desecrate the Great Victory,” Zakharova stated. “We have, of course, sent a note of protest to the Armenian side.”
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, servicemen from Russia’s 102nd military base stationed in Gyumri immediately joined efforts to restore the memorial. She noted that the Russian Embassy in Yerevan had also publicly condemned the incident.
Zakharova welcomed reports from Armenian law enforcement authorities about the detention of a suspect in connection with the vandalism.
“We expect justice to prevail and that the unlawful actions, which have provoked strong public condemnation in both our countries, will receive an appropriate legal response,” she said.
At the same time, Zakharova criticized the Armenian authorities for what she described as a lack of an official reaction to the incident.
“It is puzzling that Armenia’s official authorities, instead of firmly condemning the desecration of the memorial or at least expressing a clear position, chose to remain silent,” she said.
