Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of Russia's State Duma, led a delegation to lay a wreath and flowers at the Monument to Soviet Liberating Pilots in Changchun's People's Square, and observed a minute of silence in tribute.

The 27.5-meter-high, five-tiered obelisk features a dive bomber model on top. Engraved on it are the names of 23 Soviet servicemen from the Transbaikal Front who sacrificed their lives in the Changchun area between August and September 1945.

Volodin commended China's efforts in preserving memorials dedicated to Soviet soldiers, and stressed the need to enhance cooperation to implement decisions reached at the highest levels between the two countries.