Russian State Duma Proposes Displaying WWII Heroes' Portraits for Immortal Regiment Event

The Russian State Duma Committee has put forward a proposal to display portraits of World War II heroes on public transport, media screens, and educational institutions as part of the annual Immortal Regiment event. This initiative aims to honor and commemorate the sacrifices made by those who fought in the war, expanding the visibility and recognition of these heroes beyond the traditional march.

The Immortal Regiment is an annual event where people march with portraits of their relatives who fought in World War II. However, due to existing security threats, the customary procession will not be held in Russia this year. Instead, the organizers suggest placing portraits of heroes of the Great Patriotic War on various public venues, including public transport, water, and aviation transport, starting from May 1.

Additionally, the 'Gallery of Memory' format will be continued, where portraits of heroes of the Great Patriotic War, holders of the Order of Glory, and heroes of the Soviet Union, along with information about their exploits, will be placed in public places, parks, and public gardens. The decision to cancel the Immortal Regiment march for the second consecutive year comes after an uptick in Ukrainian drone and missile attacks, as well as a deadly attack claimed by Islamic State-linked militants.

Why this matters: The cancellation of the Immortal Regiment march for the second year in a row highlights the growing security concerns in Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The alternative proposal to display portraits of war heroes in public spaces demonstrates the government's efforts to maintain patriotic sentiment and commemorate the sacrifices of World War II veterans despite the challenges posed by the current situation.

The Immortal Regiment march, which started as a grassroots movement in 2012, has since been adopted by authorities and is among the patriotic events promoted by the Kremlin under President Vladimir Putin. While Moscow will proceed with its customary parade in Red Square, several other Russian cities have opted to cancel or curtail their Victory Day celebrations due to security concerns. Education Minister Sergey Kravtsov has assured that commemorations will still occur in schools, featuring visits from war veterans and individuals involved in the Ukrainian conflict.

Key Takeaways

• Russian Duma proposes displaying WWII heroes' portraits in public spaces.
• Immortal Regiment march canceled in Russia due to security threats.
• Portraits of war heroes to be displayed in public venues instead.
• Victory Day celebrations curtailed in Russia due to security concerns.
• Schools to commemorate with war veteran visits and Ukraine conflict participants.