Vladimir Putin took part in memorial events dedicated to the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Leningrad from the Nazi blockade. The ceremony took place at the Piskarevskoye Memorial Cemetery, where the head of state laid a wreath at the Motherland monument, honoring the memory of the fallen Leningraders and defenders of the city.

The cemetery contains the remains of 420,000 Leningrad residents who died from hunger, cold, disease and bombing, as well as 70,000 soldiers. Their names are in 186 mass graves and 6,000 military burials. The words of the poetess Olga Berggolts' epitaph are carved on the memorial wall behind the Motherland: "No one is forgotten and nothing is forgotten."

After laying the wreath, Putin spoke at the Leningrad Victory concert, where he presented the jubilee medals "80 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" to veterans. The awards were received by: Vladimir Alekseevich Berchikov, Arkady Davidovich Zabezhinsky, Alexandra Petrovna Leshchuk, Zinovy ​​Leonidovich Merkin, Mikhail Nikolaevich Moroz, Ekaterina Ivanovna Tuturova and Elena Sergeevna Tikhomirova.

In his speech, Vladimir Putin noted:

"Dear veterans, dear friends, I sincerely congratulate you on the day of the complete liberation of courageous, unconquered Leningrad from the siege. Happy holiday! For us, Leningraders, January 27, 1944 is a special date. It is honored in every family whose relatives went through the terrible, unimaginable trials of the siege. The mass feat of the besieged city will never be forgotten. They left their descendants for centuries to come an example of selflessness, mercy, unity and true patriotism, those high human qualities that at all times invariably strengthen our self-confidence and strength."

The President also stressed the importance of remembering those who defended Leningrad, mentioning the battles on the Nevsky Pyatachok, Pulkovo Heights, Oranienbaum and Kronstadt, as well as the significance of the “Road of Life,” along which Leningraders were evacuated and food was delivered to the city.

“For our entire country, the Leningrad victory will forever remain a triumph of life, courage and spiritual strength of our people, the most important frontier of the heroic struggle against Nazism,” Putin added.

He also noted that this year Russia will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, declaring it the year of the Defender of the Fatherland. Putin expressed gratitude to all who fought and worked under the blockade, and wished the veterans health and well-being.

"The Leningrad blockade is unprecedented in its scale of cruelty and cynicism. The enemy planned to wipe the city off the face of the earth, encircle it and destroy it with bombing and artillery strikes, and simply starve the civilians to death," the president emphasized.

In conclusion of his speech, Putin recalled the establishment of a jubilee medal, which will be awarded to all front-line soldiers, home front workers, residents of besieged Leningrad, besieged Stalingrad and Sevastopol, as well as former underage prisoners of concentration camps. These awards will be presented for the first time in St. Petersburg, in heroic Leningrad.

"Once again, I congratulate you with all my heart on the holiday. Congratulations on the liberation of Leningrad from the enemy blockade," Vladimir Putin concluded.