Voronezh police initiated an investigation after a rainbow flag was placed on the grave of a participant in the war in Ukraine, as reported by the 'My and Your Voronezh' Telegram channel on April 4.
The flag was found at the Lesnoye cemetery near the grave of Colonel Mikhail Nikilin. "Nikilin took his subordinates from the fire zone, sustaining mortal injuries, and now the hero’s family and comrades must deal with this mockery," wrote a subscriber of the 'My and Your Voronezh' Telegram channel. He urged authorities to find and punish the 'freaks.'
The police did not receive any complaints of tomb desecration, but they initiated an investigation following the internet post.
Voronezh City Hall has confirmed that the flag has been removed from the grave.
Residents of Russian regions regularly face charges for desecrating tombs or symbols of the war in Ukraine. In October 2023, the police accused two Oryol residents of desecrating a symbol of military glory. They painted over the image of the Z letter, colored as St. George’s ribbon. However, security forces in the Komi Republic refused to initiate a legal case following the destruction of a cross in memory of exiled Poles in Vorkuta, as they found no evidence of monument desecration.
