Thousands of people carry portraits of their family members who fought in World War II

Thousands have assembled for an annual procession through Moscow holding portraits of their family members who fought against Nazi Germany and its allies in World War II as Russia celebrates Victory Day on Monday.

The ‘Immortal Regiment’ is a massive civil march held on Victory Day in which people carry portraits of those from their family who participated in the war.

The procession will pass through Red Square in downtown Moscow.

The event was held online in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The Red Army’s fight against Hitler’s forces is often called the Great Patriotic War, which started for the USSR on June 22, 1941. In Russia, May 9 is one of the country’s most revered public holidays.

The ‘Immortal Regiment’ began as a grassroots movement in the Siberian city of Tomsk in 2012. The idea was then quickly picked up by other cities. The processions are held on Victory Day all across Russia and in many places abroad, where Russian-speaking expats participate alongside locals.

Source: RT