Russian, Ukrainian and Belarus presidents unveil monoment in honor of WW II hero-cities

A monument in honor of heroic cities of WW II was unveiled in the Alexander Garden near the Kremlin, launching the celebrations of the 65th anniversary of Victory Day, reports RIA Novosti.

The ceremony was attended by Belarusian and Ukrainian Presidents Alexander Lukashenko and Viktor Yanukovych and WWII veterans.
'City of Military Glory' is an honorary title awarded to Russian cities where soldiers displayed courage and heroism during the Great Patriotic War. The award has been bestowed on 27 Russian cities. This title is similar to the Hero City title awarded during the Soviet period.

Russia will mark the 65th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany on May 9th with its biggest ever post-Soviet demonstration of military hardware. This year is the first time that troops from other countries allied with the Soviet Union during World War Two will take part in the military parade on Red Square. Victory Day marks the final surrender by Nazi Germany to the U.S.S.R. in WWII, often referred to as the Great Patriotic War in Russia and other former Soviet states.