MOSCOW, May 9. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin took part for the first time since 2019 in the Immortal Regiment march held in Moscow in the in-person format on Victory Day.
This year, Putin walked for the sixth time across Moscow’s Red Square along with other march participants, carrying a portrait of his father who had fought during the Soviet Union’s 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany.
The Immortal Regiment march is held in Russia, CIS and other countries to commemorate those who fought and died during the Great Patriotic War. Each year, participants in the Immortal Regiment march hold a procession on May 9 or close dates, carrying photographs of their relatives - war veterans.
In 2015-2019, Putin participated in Immortal Regiment marches each time on Victory Day. He called this action "a river of memory, pride and hope for a better future."
The Immortal Regiment march was held in the online format in Russia in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Thus, two years ago, Putin joined the Immortal Regiment march online from his Kremlin office.
He then addressed "those who regularly at the call of their heart take part in Immortal Regiment processions with photos and portraits of their near and dear ones who fought during the Great Patriotic War." The head of state assured that heroes of that time remained in the hearts of people irrespective of whether they marched in one formation or remained at home. In conclusion, he pledged: "We will still walk across Red Square to give tribute to our heroes.".