A monument to Grigory Bulatov, the Flag Bearer of Victory, has been unveiled in Slobodskoye.

      On June 22, the Day of Remembrance and Mourning, in the city of Sloboda, Kirov region, the grand opening of the monument to the flag bearer of Victory Grigory Bulatov took place. The initiative to perpetuate the feat of the countryman came from the residents of the city, veterans and descendants of the hero. Last year, they turned to State Duma deputy Rahim Azimov, who supported the idea, provided funding and organized all the necessary work. The monument was opened in the year of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory and the 100th anniversary of Bulatov's birth.

      Grigory Bulatov hoisted the Red Banner on the Reichstag on April 30, 1945. This event had great symbolic significance in the last days of the war.

      Rahim Azimov, deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation:

      "This monument is not only the story of one hero. This is part of a great effort to preserve the truth about the Great Patriotic War and the immortal feat of our people. Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has declared this year the Year of Defender of the Fatherland. Historical memory is the foundation of our unity. And today, by unveiling this monument, we are taking another important step in preserving our common history."

      The opening ceremony was attended by Alexander Sokolov, Governor of the Kirov Region, Hero of Russia, Viktor Bondarev, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security, Vasily Piskarev, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption, and Gennady Mamaev, Hero of Labor.

      Alexander Sokolov, Governor of the Kirov region:

      "In the year of the 80th anniversary of the Victory, a wonderful monument appeared in Slobodsky to a native of the city, a true hero who hoisted the Banner of Victory over the defeated Reichstag. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to the creation of this monument. I know that this is an initiative of the people themselves — the townspeople, the residents of Slobodsky. Many thanks to our deputy Rahim Azizboevich Azimov, who helped us find the resources to bring this idea to life."

      Demid Bulatov, the great-grandson of the hero:

      "I study the history of the Great Patriotic War to understand what trials our grandfathers went through and at what price the Victory was won. My great—grandfather is the epitome of courage and resilience. I am proud of his name and promise to be worthy of his memory by passing it on to my children."

      At the end of the ceremony, all those gathered honored the memory of the fallen heroes by joining the All-Russian minute of silence at 12:15.

      Afterwards, the guests laid flowers at the memorial to the commanders and soldiers of the 311th Infantry Division. The memorial was created 5 years ago in the year of the 75th anniversary of the Victory on the initiative of slobozhans and with the assistance of Rahim Azimov.

      Also on this day, a concert of patriotic songs in memory of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War was held in Slobodsky, performed by Honored Artist of Russia Sergei Volkov and the Orchestra of the Kirov Branch of the Russian National Guard "Severnaya Zvezda". The event was also held with the support of Rahim Azimov.