Officials are under investigation after the destruction of a monument in Nalchik.

Authorities in Nalchik were negligent in allowing the partial destruction of a monument to participants in the Great Patriotic War, investigators have suggested. The memorial's cladding was damaged by the cold weather, and restoration will be carried out after the winter, the mayor's office stated.

00:20 13.03.2024

Police have identified the participants in the pantless photo taken at the monument to defenders of the Motherland in Prokhladny.

The identities of the teenagers who, with their pants down, posed for a photo at the monument to those killed during the Great Patriotic War in Prokhladny have been identified. Preventive talks are being held with the teenagers and their parents, and the materials have been sent to the Commission on Juvenile Affairs, the Kabardino-Balkarian Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.

A criminal case under Part 1 of Article 293 of the Russian Criminal Code (negligence) has been opened in connection with the partial destruction of the memorial to the defenders of Nalchik who died during the Great Patriotic War, the Kabardino-Balkarian Investigative Committee reported on January 31.

"According to investigators, the memorial, located in the public garden, "near Tolstoy Street in the city of Nalchik, due to the failure of responsible government officials to ensure its safety and the lack of timely restoration, partially collapsed," the department's website stated.

An inspection of the memorial was conducted with the participation of forensic experts, documentation was seized, and forensic examinations were ordered, the department noted, without specifying whether there were any specific suspects in the case.

The Nalchik administration did not comment on the Investigative Committee's statement, but reported late in the evening of January 31 that the monument's cladding had collapsed "as a result of atmospheric and temperature exposure."

Administration specialists annually compile a report "after the end of the winter period" The city administration emphasized in its Telegram channel a list of the scope of work for all city monuments and a local cost estimate "for the purpose of bringing the Great Patriotic War monuments into compliance."

"An initial inspection of the monument to Nalchik residents who died in the Great Patriotic War revealed that partial destruction of the cladding occurred as a result of cyclic expansion and contraction of the materials, which led to the formation of cracks and the destruction of protective layers," the publication stated.

A local cost estimate is currently being prepared for this monument, the statement noted. "Restoration work will be carried out when favorable weather conditions arrive," the administration assured.

As of 11:00 a.m. Moscow time, no comments had been posted under the administration's publication, although the option to leave comments was enabled.