Russian 'Immortal Regiment' Marches Come to Balkans

'Immortal Regiment' processions will be held in Serbia, Republika Srpska and Montenegro on Wednesday, Victory Day in Russia, which marks the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

The marches will be attended by representatives of Russian embassies, municipal officials and the general public, while the notorious Russian motorcycle group the Night Wolves has also said it will be present.

"I would like to invite you to participate in the Immortal Regiment action on May 9," the head of the Serbian Night Wolves, Sasa Savic, wrote on Facebook.

Savic said that "our ancestors who fought against fascism have given us freedom and that is why this celebration is important to all of us in the whole world".

He said that the Night Wolves "are waiting for you at the walks in Belgrade, [and the Serbian cities of] Krusevac, Kraljevo, and Nis".

The first Immortal Regiment march was held in Russia in 2012 and the patriotic phenomenon has since grown significantly, with backing from the Moscow authorities. Processions have increasingly been organised by Russia-related groups in other countries around the world in recent years.

Serbian public broadcaster RTS reported on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to participate in the Immortal Regiment march during his visit to Moscow.

Serbian daily newspaper Blic reported on May 6 that the march in Belgrade is being organised by the Immortal Regiment Foundation, the Fund for the Unity of Orthodox Peoples and the Memorial Association, with the support of the Russian Embassy and the Russian House, a Belgrade venue where Russia-related events are held.   

According to a report by Russia's Tass news agency...