RIGA, Aug 18 (LETA) - Latvia's Union of Russians (LKS) plans to hold a protest campaign against dismantling of the Soviet army monument in Riga.

LKS co-chairman Miroslavs Mitrofanovs said in a Facebook post that he has submitted an application to the Riga City Council in relation to the protest. The protest is planned at 7 p.m. on Monday.

Mitrofanovs said that more than 10,000 signature have been collected against removal of the monument. The signatures have been submitted to the EU structures.

LKS also has turned to the Central Election Commission, asking to launch a referendum on the matter.

As reported, the State Security Service does not rule out provocations during the planned dismantling of a Soviet-era monument in Riga, including attempts by some Kremlin supporters to prevent the monument's removal.

The Security Service constantly monitors such activities in connection with the upcoming demolition of the monument to Soviet army. To detect possible national security risks, the service has been following developments related to the monument's planned removal both in Latvia and abroad.

The Security Service noted that the monument in Pardaugava and other memorials glorifying the Soviet army were erected in Latvia during the years of Soviet rule. For a long time, Russia has been using these monuments as an influence tool against Latvia.

Such monuments and memorials extolling the Soviet army and regime have been serving Russia's political interests in foreign countries and were used to underpin Moscow's interpretations of historical events and to consolidate Latvia-based Russian compatriots.

It is likely that during the monument's dismantling, Russia will step up its information activities against Latvia, with their intensity and aggressive nature expected to increase, the Security Service said.

In this case, these activities will be aimed at sowing divisions in Latvia's society and undermining trust in Latvian state authorities, as well as fostering tensions and sense of insecurity in various segments of Latvia's society.

The Security Service in cooperation with the State Police is preparing for various scenarios during the dismantling of the Soviet monument.

It has also been reported that Riga City Council's Financial and Administrative Affairs Committee on August 5 approved the decisions to allocate financing for the dismantling of the Soviet-era monument in Pardaugava.

A construction firm tasked with dismantling the structure has been chosen in a closed procedure but its name has not been made public for security reasons.

The dismantling costs are estimated at about EUR 2.1 million.

The monument has been a subject of controversy for a long time already, and now has been raised again in relation to Russia's war in Ukraine.

The monument was built in the time period between 1979 and 1985 to commemorate the Soviet Army's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, but now it is seen as dedication to the aggressor country - Russia.