May 9th is observed as "Victory Day" in Russia and in many former Eastern Bloc countries. Commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany 64 years ago, in 1945, Victory Day is both a day of remembrance and a celebration of peace. It is celebrated as a great holiday and there are widespread demonstration of respect and affection for the dwindling number of veterans of the war.

The event is being increasingly commemorated in recent years in London. This was the fourth year, when Russian and British veterans of Arctic Convoys (1941-1945) joined together on board HMS Belfast in London to celebrate 9 May Victory Day and the 65th Anniversary of the Great Victory in WW2. The commemorative ceremony included the Russian Ambassador, Yury Fedotov, who presenting the 65th Anniversary Medal to a number of British Convoy veterans.

The event was sponsored by Petropavlovsk plc, the gold mining company and VTB Capital the Russian bank.

Our gallery (click on image gallery at top of article) shows the veterans, the Ambassador and sponsors at the ceremony and guests mingling in the festive atmosphere aboard HMS Belfast afterwards.