The inscription on the obelisk reads, “Eternal glory to the soldiers of the Soviet Army who died liberating Poland from German invaders in 1944–1945”.
At the start of the ceremony, the anthems of Russia and Poland were played. Then, preceded by Wojsko Polskie officers carrying wreaths, the Presidents headed towards the obelisk. At the end of the ceremony, President Putin signed a memorial book.
President Putin also approached Russian and Polish veterans watching the ceremony and asked them about their life. Veterans told him that they were following his visit with interest and attention, and wished the peoples of the two countries warm and friendly relations.
From the mausoleum cemetery, the two leaders drove to Warsaw airport – President Putin’s visit to Poland was to be continued in Poznan.
The mausoleum cemetery dedicated to soldiers of the Soviet Army in Warsaw was built in 1949–50. The complex covers an area of 19 hectares and contains 834 individual and common graves where 21,668 Soviet Army men who died fighting to liberate the Polish capital in 1944–45 are buried.