In the center of Pleven, a monument to General Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev has been erected, dedicated to the heroic events of the Russo-Turkish Liberation War of 1877-1878. The monument is located on the boulevard that also bears Skobelev's name.

This war is remembered as the Liberation War of the Russian Empire and its allies against centuries of Ottoman rule in the Balkans. In the battle of Pleven, Russian troops fought alongside the Romanian army and Bulgarian militia against the Turks.

The idea to create a monument to the celebrated Russian commander belongs to the Russian Public Committee for the Commemoration of General Skobelev, headed by the authorized representative of the President of Russia in the Central Federal District, Anatoly Poltavchenko. Sculptor Vladimir Surovtsov and architect Viktor Pasenko created a bronze figure of the general on a war horse, set on a granite pedestal in the center of the city.

The monument became a gift to Pleven from the Russian Federation. Its solemn opening took place on September 11, 2007, as part of the celebration of the 130th anniversary of the third assault on Pleven. The ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the National Assembly of Bulgaria Georgi Pirinski, the Ambassador of Russia to Bulgaria Anatoly Potapov, a delegation from the Central Administrative District of Moscow led by Prefect Sergey Baidakov, representatives from Rostov-on-Don led by Mayor Mikhail Chernyshev, a delegation from Vladimir led by Mayor Alexander Rybakov, as well as Bulgarian officials and representatives of public organizations.

The monument was consecrated by the metropolitans of Plovdiv Nikolai, Pleven Ignatius, and Lovech Gavrail.