The destruction of a monument to war veterans in Nalchik has outraged Telegram users.

Telegram users reacted emotionally to the destruction of the cladding on a monument to WWII veterans. Commenters found the Nalchik mayor's office's explanation unconvincing.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," on January 31, the Investigative Committee announced that a criminal case under negligence had been opened in connection with the partial destruction of a monument to WWII veterans in Nalchik. The investigation believes that officials failed to ensure the memorial's safety and failed to carry out timely restoration.

The mayor's version was presented late in the evening of January 31st on the Telegram channel of the newspaper "Gazeta Yuga," which earlier that day published a video from the park where the memorial is located. The video accompanied a report that the Investigative Committee had launched a pre-investigation check.

The video footage shows significant damage to the monument's cladding, with facing slabs and their debris lying at its base. The memorial area is cordoned off with white and red warning tape. There are no people directly near the monument, but passersby are visible nearby. The person filming the video shows the damage in the frame but does not comment on it.

The newspaper also reported that a criminal case has been opened against officials. As of 1:58 PM Moscow time on February 1, these three posts on the publication's Telegram channel have 41, 84, and 48 comments.

The pyramids in Egypt were lucky with both the weather and the timing.

Some commenters reacted skeptically to the mayor's office's explanation. "Well, of course! The pyramids in Egypt were lucky with the weather, the timing, and the atmospheric and temperature influences! What a stupid explanation!" wrote Eleonora.

"It's awful, the weather is to blame," Oksana exclaimed indignantly. "There are simply no words. Excuses," Timur opined.

It feels like no one ever looks after this monument.

Other users attributed the situation to poor workmanship and insufficient oversight by officials.

"There was and still is a feeling that no one ever looks after this monument," wrote A.T., among others. "And it's a disgrace, of course," the same user added in another comment.

"It looks like it was done conscientiously," remarked Kkk. "Whoever it was, they weren't specialists. Look at the layer the tiles were glued with. It's all crooked and askew, the joints are unfilled, a slapdash job," wrote another user.

"That's right, water got in, froze, expanded, and that tile fell over there, but water shouldn't have gotten there. Sites like this need to have annual maintenance," opined E.

This could have ended in a huge tragedy. Luckily, there were no casualties.

"The fault lies with the unscrupulous workers. They were paid, after all, and they took on this job," said Farida Dadova-dalova. "Children often play near monuments; this could have ended in a huge tragedy. Luckily, there were no casualties. All monuments throughout the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic need to be thoroughly checked!" wrote L.O..

Some users were particularly emotional about the fact that the monument to the defenders of Nalchik was destroyed.

Shame! This is a slap in the face to our veterans.

"Shameless! Descendants!" wrote Natalya Varava. "Disgraceful," wrote Olga Prikazchikova succinctly. "A disgrace," wrote V M.

"A disgrace! This is a slap in the face of our veterans, our soldiers who laid down their lives to liberate our land. How can you not love your city and respect your history?!" - Elena Velena was indignant.

"Over time, everything man-made deteriorates under the influence of climate, so all monuments standing on state-owned land are put on the books, and small sums are allocated for their maintenance, etc. It's just that we have several agencies that, in this case, have shown a basic lack of respect for the people who gave their lives for our country," wrote Artur.

"Unfortunately, many of our monuments are in very poor condition. And this is simply a consequence of the uncontrolled state of this historical site and memorial to soldiers. […] It needs to be restored urgently!" - Bella expressed her opinion.