Russia celebrated Defenders of the Fatherland Day on Tuesday, with President Dmitry Medvedev leading a ceremony to return the eternal flame to its traditional home next to the Kremlin.
The eternal flame was moved to Victory Park on Poklonnaya Hill on December 27, 2009, to allow for reconstruction of the memorial complex including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexandrovsky Gardens.
A torch lit at the eternal flame's temporary home in Victory Park was transported to the Kremlin on Tuesday morning, traveling in an armored personnel carrier with full military honors.
Medvedev then relit the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the foot of the Kremlin Wall in Alexandrovsky Gardens.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin also took part in the solemn ceremony, along with representatives of veterans' organizations, including marshals, generals and admirals, the heads of both chambers of parliament, several ministers and leaders of political parties.
The national anthem was played to mark the return of the eternal flame to Alexandrovsky Gardens, and then the assembled dignitaries laid flowers at the memorial.
The eternal flame's temporary relocation to Victory Park was agreed with all veterans' organizations in the country.
MOSCOW, February 23 (RIA Novosti)
