Adjutant General Nikolai Ignatiev. Beijing, 1900. Photo credit: D. Yanchevetsky / ru.wikipedia.org
A monument to Russian diplomat Nikolai Ignatiev in Varna, Bulgaria, was attacked by vandals, RIA Novosti reports. The bust was erected at the beginning of the 20th century as a sign of gratitude for his enormous contribution to the restoration of the country's independence. Nikolai Ignatiev occupies a special position in the history of Bulgaria. It was he who signed an agreement with the Turks on March 3, 1878, which gave the Balkan country independence and returned it to the political map of the world after 500 years of Ottoman slavery.
The bust of the statesman was dropped from its pedestal. This became known to city authorities on Wednesday, December, 10. One of the residents of Varna contacted the mayor's office. It turned out that unknown offenders had bent the metal plates at the base of the bust and pulled out the screws.
According to local media, the authorities plan to repair the monument and return it to its place.
City authorities intend to strengthen control and install video surveillance.
This is not the first attack by vandals on the monument. Last spring, unknown people doused it with white paint.
Russkiy Mir
