Russian nationalists ransack slain Kremlin critic's memorial to protest U.S. visit

FILE PHOTO: Flowers and a candle are placed next to a portrait of Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov at the site of assassination on the 6th anniversary of his death, in central Moscow, Russia February 27, 2021. REUTERS/Tatyana Makeyeva

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian nationalists ransacked a makeshift memorial to slain Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov in central Moscow early on Monday to protest against the start of a visit by a senior U.S. official, an act of vandalism condemned by opposition activists.

Nemtsov, a critic of President Vladimir Putin, was shot dead on Feb. 27, 2015, as he walked across a bridge near the Kremlin. A group of Chechen men were convicted of carrying out the murder, but the identity of the person who ordered the hit has not been revealed.