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Mr Medvedev and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko laid wreaths at the Eternal Flame at the Brest Hero-Fortress Memorial Complex and observed a minute of silence in memory of the fallen in the Great Patriotic War.

The two Presidents then spoke with Great Patriotic War veterans gathered on the square before the Eternal Flame. The veterans thanked Mr Medvedev for coming to Belarus and enquired about the possibility of organising a special trip by train for them from Brest to Moscow.

Mr Medvedev and Mr Lukashenko visited the Brest Fortress complex and then visited the St Nicholas Garrison Cathedral, located within the complex, where they lit candles before the icon of St Nicholas the Miracle Worker for the peaceful rest of the fallen defenders of the fortress.

The two Presidents then visited the Fortress Defence Museum and Mr Medvedev wrote in the guests’ book.

On the morning of 22 June 1941 the fortress was surrounded by German troops, and only about half of its defenders were able to escape and rejoin the Soviet Army. The remaining soldiers and commanders engaged the enemy, turning the citadel into a strong knot of resistance. The soldiers' families and medical workers were trapped along with them.

Despite the huge losses and dire conditions (no water, food or medical supplies), for almost a month the fortress's defenders managed to hold out against the tanks, artillery and planes of the German division. Most of the defenders died in battle, some managed to escape and join the resistance and the rest were taken prisoner.

In memory of the exploits of the heroes of Brest Fortress, on 8 May 1965 it was awarded the title Brest Hero-Fortress.

Every year a hundred and ninety thousand people and more than three thousand tour groups visit the memorial.

Over the past ten years, the fortress has undergone major repairs and restoration, thanks to contributions by Russia and the CIS, and provisions from the budgets of the Union State, the governments of Moscow and Belarus.