Together with Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov, Mr Ivanov laid flowers at a common grave for Soviet soldiers killed in the defence of Moscow in 1941.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ivanov noted the contribution that members of search groups have made to establishing Day of the Unknown Soldier as a commemorative date. Mr Ivanov said that this memorial date’s appearance in the calendar is their achievement.
Mr Ivanov also visited an exhibition, Echo of War, which presents the results of expeditions undertaken in 2014. The exhibition presents finds by members of Moscow Region search groups, including soldiers’ personal belongings found at battle sites. While looking over the exhibition, Mr Ivanov suggested that the maps of military burial sites that search groups have drawn up could be used to preserve and protect these places of memory.
The group Search Movement of Russia brings together more than 40,000 people from 74 different regions. Their main aim is to immortalise the memory of soldiers who fell in various battles for the defence of their homeland.
Day of the Unknown Soldier is a new commemorative date established to preserve the memory of Russian and Soviet soldiers killed on Russian soil or beyond and whose names remain unknown.