Bulgaria Soviet monument in Sofia gets Ukraine twist Published duration 25 February 2014

image copyright AFP image caption The monument in the centre of Sofia has been painted on by artists many times

A Soviet monument in Sofia, Bulgaria has been painted in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, sparking protest from Russia.

Unknown artists painted the Monument to the Soviet Army on Saturday night, local media reported.

Russia has since demanded an explanation of the "vandal incident", the Itar-Tass agency reported.

It is the latest in a series of modifications of the monument which have tried to make political points.

image copyright AFP image caption The writing painted on the statue in August 2013 said "Bulgaria apologises", a reference to the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968

image copyright AFP image caption In 2011, action heroes, Santa and Ronald McDonald adorned the monument along with the words "Moving with the times"

image copyright AFP image caption In August last year, the figures received a Pussy-Riot style makeover in honour of the anti-Putin band