After wrapping up a high-stakes summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin took a quiet moment to honor the bravery of Soviet pilots who lost their lives in Alaska during World War II 🕊️. The scene? A windswept cemetery in Alaska, with Putin laying flowers at their graves.
These pilots weren’t on combat missions in Alaska—they were training alongside American troops or ferrying U.S.-built aircraft to the Soviet Union under the lend-lease program. Simply put, lend-lease was the U.S. shipping war supplies (like fighter planes ✈️) to allies. Sadly, some aviators never made it back, facing harsh weather or accidents in those icy skies.
At a joint press conference earlier that day, Putin highlighted Alaska as a symbol of shared history and legacy between Russia and the U.S. He recalled the air corridor that once connected Fairbanks to the Soviet Far East—an epic supply route that helped turn the tide of the war. “Our pilots from both sides risked everything,” he said, reminding everyone that they once stood united against a common foe.
By paying respects at those graves, Putin sent a message: even amid today’s global tensions, we can’t forget the moments when cooperation made all the difference. It’s a powerful reminder for young people everywhere that shared history and mutual respect can pave the way for better ties 🤝🌍.
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Putin lays flowers at graves of Soviet pilots buried in Alaska
cgtn.com
