Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will mark the 64th anniversary of the victory in the Second World War on Friday by laying a wreath to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin wall.

Russia marks the Victory in Europe Day on May 9 as the end of the Great Patriotic War, in which Red Army troops routed Nazi Germany in bitter fighting from June 1941 to 1945 that took a toll of over 20 million Soviet lives.

Medvedev will also participate in a gala meeting devoted to the Victory Day and will award three cities with the title of Military Glory.

Vyazma, Kronshtadt and Naro-Fominsk will join 16 cities that already enjoy the City of Military Glory status.

“This is not only an act of recognition, but also a confirmation of the spirit of pride, which everyone of us feels towards the native city,” Medvedev said.

The cities were awarded the title for “valor, endurance and mass heroism of their defenders in the fight for the freedom and independence of the Fatherland,” the presidential decree said.