The solemn laying of flowers at the Eternal Flame took place at the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin.

      On May 9, 2026, at 16:28 Society, on Victory Day, the governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Gleb Nikitin, led the ceremony of laying flowers at the Eternal Flame in the territory of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. The main heroes of this holiday - war veterans - were present at the event, as well as the deputy presidential envoy in the Volga Federal District, Igor Panshin, the chairman of the regional Legislative Assembly, Evgeny Lyulin, the Metropolitan of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas, Georgy, the head of Nizhny Novgorod, Yuri Shalabaev, as well as leaders of federal and regional agencies, representatives of law enforcement agencies, cadet corps and Suvorov schools students, and volunteers. Participants honored the memory of the heroes with a moment of silence, and then laid flowers and wreaths at the Eternal Flame. The veterans were accompanied by 50 volunteers.

      "The holiday inspires joy in our hearts. And let us, as in the song, always meet it 'with tears in our eyes,' but still, this blessed event is a feat accomplished by our ancestors, who defended the Motherland with weapons in hand. It is a great happiness that veterans are still with us. I would like to congratulate all Nizhny Novgorod residents on Victory Day! For us, this is a great day. During the war, Gorky became a real arsenal of Victory - from 25 to 50% of various types of weapons were made here. Without the contribution of the workers in the rear, our ancestors, this Victory might not have happened. To all the workers in the rear, all the children of war, all the blockade survivors, all the veterans - with the great holiday!" said Gleb Nikitin.

      Evgeny Lyulin noted that when people lay flowers at the memorial, they remember those who brought victory in the rear. Thus, the Sverdlov factory in Dzerzhinsk produced every second shell, and the first bomb that fell on Berlin in August 1941 was assembled there. Lyulin emphasized that the entire Soviet people forged victory in the rear. He expressed gratitude to those who brought victory on the front lines and in the rear, and emphasized the importance of a peaceful sky.

      Yuri Shalabaev added that Nizhny Novgorod made an invaluable contribution to victory and emphasized the city's pride in the title of "City of Labor Valor." The head of the city said that for him this holiday is not only history but also an opportunity to meet with veterans whose fates and examples of self-sacrifice inspire admiration. Shalabaev also expressed pride that the descendants of heroes continue the work of their ancestors.

      Metropolitan Georgy performed a requiem service at the Eternal Flame.

      "There is a well-known phrase: 'They live as long as we remember them.' And indeed, we no longer have the opportunity to communicate with most participants of the Great Patriotic War face to face, as it was 20 or 30 years after Victory, but we keep their faces, their memories, their teachings directed at future generations in our hearts and memories. And we can and must tell our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren about them. I myself am the son of a front-line soldier. And although my father did not like to recall the war, his image is infinitely dear to me. The holiday in honor of the great Victory on May 9 is part of our traditions, strengthening the connection between generations and providing an opportunity to connect with our roots and create a bright future for our country," said the clergyman.

      A march of units of the Nizhny Novgorod garrison took place in the territory of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. The parade formations of military personnel and law enforcement officers passed before the veterans.

      Front-line soldiers present at the ceremony were especially thanked. Young Nizhny Novgorod residents in the honor guard symbolized the connection of times and traditions.

      Evgeny Chintsov, chairman of the Nizhny Novgorod City Duma and a holder of three Orders of Courage, noted that for him as a military person, May 9 is, above all, a memory that we must pass on to our children and grandchildren.

      "Look at what is happening now in Ukraine: history has been rewritten, memory erased, and we have been declared enemies, which is why they are now fighting against us. Our fighters participating in the special military operation understand very well how important it is for us to preserve this memory. We see how the events of our days repeat the events of the Great Patriotic War, how the front and rear have united again for a common victory," said the speaker of the City Duma.

      After the official part of the celebrations, the governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Gleb Nikitin, had a heartfelt conversation with the veterans of the Great Patriotic War at the table. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.