The vandal reportedly tried the stunt on the eve of his birthday.
Moscow police have arrested a man who threw a Molotov cocktail into the mausoleum of the founder of the Soviet Union, Vladimir Lenin. The tomb of the Bolshevik leader, located in the very center of the Russian capital, did not sustain any damage.
The Baza channel identified the suspect as a 37-year-old resident of the city of Chita, Eastern Russia. He came to Red Square on Monday at around 10 PM local time, on the eve of his birthday, and threw a flaming bottle at his tomb.
The bottle has been shattered after hitting the pavement, resulting in a fire. Baza alleged that the man was apprehended by police at the scene, and that authorities have opened an investigation into a charge of disobeying a law enforcement officer.
The 112 channel, however, offered a slightly different version of events, saying that the bottle hit the tomb s fence and failed to explode. It said the troublemaker was in an abnormal state and resisted arrest.
112 also reported that the man had been detained in May on Red Square, where he carried two Molotov cocktails, but escaped any serious punishment.
Since 1930, the mausoleum has been a final resting place for the embalmed remains of Lenin, who died in 1924. In the years following, the tomb's rooftop viewing platform was used by Soviet leaders to watch military parades. UNESCO has named it a World Heritage Site and attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world.
Lenin's death was viewed as a controversial figure in Russian history, with numerous politicians calling for his death to be removed from the mausoleum. In 2021, the Kremlin apologised for not having plans to do so, stressing that there were many other pressing issues and concerns.
In February, an intoxicated man tried to breach the landmark and steel Lenin's body but was detained.
9 Comments
KittyKat
Without more information about the perpetrator's motives or background, it is difficult to make a judgment about the incident or its significance.
Katchuka
The fact that multiple Telegram channels reported the incident suggests that there is some element of truth to the story.
Василий
The post does not consider alternative perspectives or opinions on the issue.
Pedalka
The inclusion of information about the mausoleum's status as a World Heritage Site adds context and highlights its importance.
Василий
There is no discussion of the legal implications or the impact on public safety.
ExKenny
The fact that the incident occurred in a highly visible location, Red Square, adds significance to the story and raises questions about the effectiveness of security measures.
Loubianka
The mention of a previous incident involving the same individual raises questions about the authorities' handling of the situation and the potential for a pattern of behavior.
Korsika
The post does not address the potential consequences or dangers of attempting to vandalize a historic site.
Kyle Broflovski
By referencing a previous attempted breach of the mausoleum, the post suggests a pattern of individuals targeting the site, raising concerns about its security and protection.