ANDERMATT, Switzerland (Reuters) – Vandals have daubed blue and yellow paint – Ukraine’s national colours – on a Russian monument to soldiers who perished fighting Napoleon’s forces in Switzerland in the 18th century, drawing a complaint from Moscow’s diplomatic mission.
“Hundreds of Russian men died fighting the French in the Swiss Alps. They have nothing to do with 21 century events, and their memory must not be desecrated,” the Russian mission in Geneva tweeted.
It posted a video of past ceremonies at the stone-carved monument near the Devil’s Bridge in the central canton of Uri.
Erected by Russia in 1899, it is dedicated to Russian General Alexander Suvorov and his fallen soldiers who fought the French in the Schoellenen Gorge in September 1799.
Uri police said they were investigating the case and a separate incident in which the town hall in Altdorf was defaced.
“It is unclear whether the incidents are connected. This is the subject of a police investigation,” they said in a statement, adding they had no suspects so far.
(Reporting by Arnd Wiegmann and Michael Shields; Editing by Alison Williams)
