MOSCOW, April 10. /TASS/. The Kremlin would like to see the monument to Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev that was taken down recently in Prague reconstructed in either the Czech Republic or in Russia, if need be.

"We do not accept these actions [removal of the monument — TASS] and express our regrets in view of this. Of course, we would like to have this monument reconstructed — either on Czech land whose residents should be grateful to this man, we are convinced, or on Russian land if need be," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

He added, "Russia has been expressing on different levels its disapproval of, regret and outrage at actions of certain European countries to remove monuments to Red Army fighters who lost their lives and contributed to the liberation of these states from Nazism."

Monument dismantling

The monument to Marshal Konev was taken down from its pedestal by the decision of municipal authorities of the Prague-6 district where it was erected. The authorities say that it will be showcased in the ‘Museum of the 20th century’ in the future, which is going to appear with the Prague City Hall's funding. So far there has been little clarity as to what kind of museum it will be and when it will be open. Meanwhile, the monument’s pedestal is also expected to be taken down.

On April 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a federal law to assign criminal responsibility for demolition or damaging memorial constructions mounted to honor those who lost their lives defending the Motherland.

The Russian Investigative Committee said Friday that it had launched criminal proceedings into the removal of the monument in Prague.

Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu appealed to Head of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin, asking him to consider launching a criminal case into foreign officials for making decisions to destroy memorials honoring the memory of Soviet citizens who died in WW2.