Pictures: Immortal Regiment Marches Across Globe in Honor of WWII Heroes

Since its inception back in 2012, the celebratory event has spread not only throughout Russia, but across the whole world. Those who participate feel compelled to honor their ancestors during one of Russia’s main holidays.

Today, people all over the world uphold what is now an internationally celebrated tradition of paying homage to the brave Soviet heroes who fought in the war to defeat the Nazis and drive the invaders off Russian land.

Participants commemorate the memory of veterans, with people carrying old pictures of their immediate or extended family members who served in the Red Army fighting the Nazi occupiers, formed resistance movements, or were involved in intense labor working to seal the final victory.

Explore Sputnik's gallery to learn more about this celebrated tradition!

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German residents participate in an annual Immortal Regiment march.

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Locals take part in a dedicated memorial event in Africa.

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A boy waving a modern Victory Day banner in the United Kingdom.

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Middle schoolers hold old portraits of their ancestors who fought in the Great Patriotic War in a Hungarian school.

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A Victory Day celebration in Vietnam, with the boys on the left wearing historic uniforms of Red Army soldiers.

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Immortal Regiment participants march with a St. George ribbon and a Soviet Victory Banner in Argentina.

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Immortal Regiment march at a monument dedicated to medical workers who died in the Great Patriotic War. Participants hold portraits of their loved ones on the premises of the Kazan State Medical University in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan.

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Elderly women seen wearing St. George's ribbons in memory of war heroes in South Korea.

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Immortal Regiment participants on a ceremonial march in Spain. Locals hold family portraits, Victory Banners and flags of new Russian regions the Lugansk People's Republic (left) and Donetsk People's Republic (right).

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Immortal Regiment event in Sweden.

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A girl holds two portraits of Great Patriotic War veterans in Luxembourg.

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Schoolchildren dance at a ceremony commemorating Russia's victory in WWII in Japan.

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A major Immortal Regiment event taking place in Turkiye.

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Great Patriotic War memorial march in the United States.