Museums in Russia may lose all police guards from November due to the budget cuts in the country’s Interior Ministry. Major museums such as the Hermitage are particularly worried that this may put the art exhibits at risk, even though the museums’ own security systems will remain in place.

Cultural institutions are also worried because of the recent vandalism at an exhibition of renowned Soviet artists at the Manezh in central Moscow. Right-wing activists damaged several sculptures at the exhibition saying they were offensive to religious people. Read more: themoscowtimes.com and themoscowtimes.com