The dismantling of the Monument to the Soviet Army has officially begun, Sofia Regional Governor Vyara Todeva said for BNR. In her words, the scaffolding around the monument is to be completed, after which the dismantling of the tallest figures will begin. "Then everything will be sorted and inventory will be made on the spot", Vyara Todeva explained and added that there were serious cracks in the figures and that urgent dismantling was necessary.

"We are planning a procurement procedure for the restoration itself. The figures will be exhibited at the Museum of Socialist Art, or at another suitable site", said Vyara Todeva. Sculptor Marin Markov explained that concrete was poured at the soldiers’ feet when the monument was installed, which is the main reason for the cracks. "Over time, water seeped in and froze during the winter, and the ice split the casting", Marin Markov explained.