OREANDA-NEWS. May 8, 2008. Also taking part in the wreath-laying ceremony, honouring the 63rd anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, were candidate for the post of prime minister Vladimir Putin, acting Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov, Chairman of the Federation Council Sergei Mironov, Speaker of the State Duma Boris Gryzlov, acting First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, acting Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, the heads of other ministries and agencies, state officials, war veterans and public representatives.

The ceremony concluded with the marching by of troops from the Moscow Garrison, who will take part in the Victory Day parade on May 9.

Mr Medvedev also laid flowers at the monuments to the hero-cities at the foot of the Kremlin wall.