Sobyanin addressed Muscovites on the anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War

The Great Patriotic War became the most terrible war in the history of mankind. This opinion was expressed by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin in his address to the residents of the capital on the occasion of the Day of Remembrance and Mourning.

After Nazi Germany treacherously attacked the USSR 84 years ago, "all our people stood up to defend their native land," the mayor recalled in his Telegram channel.

"Four fiery years have shown the world examples of indomitable fortitude, mass heroism and dedication in the name of the beloved Motherland," the mayor noted. "The great Victory was won at the cost of tens of millions of lives." After the war, "about 400,000 Muscovites did not return home — almost one in two of those who went to the front," Sobyanin recalled.

Today, "we bow our heads to the memory of those who died in the holy war, and admire the unprecedented feat of the victors," the mayor wrote. And new generations need to pass on "the priceless legacy of our heroic veterans," he added.

Earlier on Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier in the Alexander Garden near the Kremlin walls. The Head of State also laid flowers at the memorial signs of the hero cities and cities of military glory.