A 10-day event celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Allied victory in the Second World War was inaugurated on board the Russian warship Moskva in Kochi under the auspices of the Russian Cultural Centre based in Thiruvananthapuram.
Inaugurating the celebrations on Saturday night, Consul General of the Russian Federation in South India Nikolai Listapadov said the victory of the Allied forces over fascism in the Second World War changed the course of the world's history.
Soviet role
He recalled the key role played by the Soviet Union in the victory.
Mr. Listapadov said Russia and the CIS states accorded great importance to the 65th anniversary celebrations.
Honorary Consul of Russia Ratheesh C. Nair presided. Chief of Staff of the Southern Naval Command Rear Admiral S.S. Jawmal said 20 million Soviet citizens were killed in the war.
Military Attache of the Russian Embassy Konstantin Vasiliev, Commander-in-Chief of the warship Moskva Sergei Trunov and Indian Navy officials were present on the occasion.
A guided missile cruiser, Moskva had arrived at the Kochi port on an official visit.
The vessel has a complement of 638 Russian officers and men on board.
The Russian Cultural Centre has planned an exhibition, seminars and screening of war films as part of the celebrations.
