REMEMBRANCE OF SOVIET SOLDIERS HONORED IN BELGRADE

BELGRADE, February 23, 2004. (RIA Novosti correspondent Tatiana Slabynko) - On the Fatherland Defender's Day, which is celebrated in Russia on February 23, a wreath laying ceremony to the memorial of Belgrade liberators and to the monument of Soviet soldiers, who died when liberating the Yugoslavian capital from the fascist occupants in 1944, took place in Belgrade, capital of Serbia and Montenegro. The flower wreaths were laid by Embassies of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, Armies of Serbia and Montenegro and Belgrade city authorities.

Heads of diplomatic missions and workers of Embassies of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, people from trade representation, Russian school of Embassy in Serbia and Montenegro and other Russian organizations, representatives of Serbian and Montenegrian Foreign Ministries, representatives of the Armed Forces and city authorities, war veterans participated in the solemn ceremony. The participants laid crimson carnations on the tombs of Soviet soldiers and officers.

The guard of honor was set up at the memorial of Belgrade Liberators and the anthems of the countries, representatives of which laid wreaths in remembrance of the Soviet soldiers, were played.

The wreaths were also laid to the monument of the Soviet military commanders and war veterans, who died in the plane crash in 1964 at the Avala mountain near Belgrade. The Soviet military delegation was heading to Yugoslavia to participate in the 20th anniversary of Belgrade liberation.