Putin lays a wreath to the Tomb of Unknown Soldier

This morning, Vladimir Putin laid a wreath to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin wall in Alexander's Garden. He honoured the memory of the victims of the Great Patriotic War with a minute of silence, followed by the Russian anthem.

The inscription on the ribbons of the wreath reads: "To the Unknown Soldier from the Russian President." Participating in the ceremony were acting Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, chief of the Presidential Administration Dmitry Medvedev, Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov, Speaker of the Federation Council Sergei Mironov, Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov, veterans of the Great Patriotic War, acting cabinet members, the leadership of the presidential administration, and leaders of Duma factions and alliances.

The wreath laying ceremony was followed by a ceremonial march of the Guards of Honour, including representatives of all branches of the Russian Armed Forces.

The Victory Day is marked in Russia and CIS countries on May 9.