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The ceremony was held near the Swiss town of Andermatt at a memorial cross that was set up in 1898 to mark the place where, 210 years ago, Suvorov's soldiers completed their heroic crossing of the Alps from Northern Italy into Switzerland.

Mr Medvedev arrived at the memorial site by helicopter to the sounds of a military band consisting of Suvorov Military Academy students. He then laid a wreath of white, blue, and red roses at the base of the memorial to honour the Russian soldiers who died during this campaign.

Dmitry Medvedev noted that Russia is deeply grateful to the Swiss authorities and to everyone involved in commemorating these events and tending to the various monuments.

According to the President, it is important to remember that this campaign took place as part of Russia's participation in the coalition against Napoleon, a coalition now considered as one of the most successful alliances in the history of Europe.