Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday participated in the wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to Soviet soldiers in Warsaw, ITAR-TASS reports. On the day of the end of the Second World War, the minister paid tribute to the memory of soldiers who gave their lives for the liberation of Poland from Nazi invaders.

Russian delegations invariably visit the military memorial cemetery laid out in 1950, where 22,000 Soviet soldiers are buried. The main alley leads to the granite obelisk 35 meters tall. Guests from various countries and local residents bring flowers to the monument and light candles. Emblazoned on the commemorative plaque are the words: “Eternal glory to soldiers of the Soviet Army who fell in battles from 1944 to 1945 for the liberation of Poland from Nazi invaders.” Over 600,000 Soviet soldiers fell in battles against Nazis on the Polish territory.

Sergei Lavrov noted more than once that “the main factor of the Victory in the Second World War was people’s capacity for self-sacrifice.” “This should never be forgotten,” he holds. “The jubilee parade of Victory when units of armed forces of the countries of the CIS, Poland, Great Britain, France and United States marched through Moscow’s Red Square” was due rebuff to those who nowadays try to falsify history, he said.