The Russian Embassy in Benin organized a parade of the Immortal Regiment in the city of Cotonou with the participation of Russians living in Benin and Togo, graduates of Russian universities, and members of the diplomatic mission, about 70 people in all, the embassy said.
Participants gave creative performances during the rally, which was accompanied by songs from the war years, according to the embassy.
The participants of the event were also shown the photo exhibitions "Ukrainian Crimes Against Humanity (2022-2023)" and "The Siege of Leningrad," as well as the documentary film "Encounter at the Elbe."
"Russian Ambassador to Cotonou Igor Evdokimov addressed the rally and stressed the importance of preserving the historical truth about the Great Patriotic War in the context of attempts by the 'collective West' to diminish the role of the Soviet people in the victory over fascism," the embassy added.
Cuban Ambassador to Benin Ricardo García Napoles also attended the Immortal Regiment, the Russian diplomatic mission revealed.
On May 9, Russia will celebrate the 79th anniversary of the Red Army's victory over Nazi Germany, marking the end of fighting on the Eastern Front during World War II, known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War. It was on May 8, 1945 (or May 9, Moscow time) that Germany signed its Instrument of Surrender in Berlin.
This year, President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embaló will come to Russia and take part in the Victory Day parade on May 9, the embassy of the West African country in Moscow announced earlier.