Russian investigators have launched a probe into the incident on the territory of Armenian church in the town or Armavir, spokesperson for Russian foreign minister Maria Zakharova said during a briefing on Thursday.

Armavir City Duma MP Aleksey Vinogradov had painted in black the memorial plaque of Armenian military-political figure Garegin Nzhdeh, which is located in the area of the Armenian church in Armavir.

On Wednesday the Armenian Embassy in Russia issued a statement expressing “deep indignation over the incident in Armavir”.  

“These actions are incompatible with the spirit of Armenian-Russian relations, and may lead to ethnic tension.

 The Embassy will inform the relevant Russian authorities, according to the order, of the vandalism committed in the area of the Armenian church of Armavir,” the Embassy said.