Norway will never forget the war effort of the Soviet army, King Harald said in his speech in Kirkenes square during the 75th anniversary of the liberation of East Finnmark.

With the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov among the audience, the king paid tribute to the Soviet-Russian efforts. He recalled that the final offensive in the north cost over six thousand Soviet lives.

”We know what losses and sacrifices it required. The many soldiers who participated on the Soviet side are also our heroes,” said King Harald.

Prime Minister Erna Solberg (Høyre) also participated during the march in bitter winter weather in Kirkenes, a few kilometres from the border with Russia.

© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today

