President of Russia Vladimir Putin has signed a new law establishing a Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Genocide of the Soviet People, designated for April 19.
This bill has been made available on the official legal portal.
According to the document, the primary responsibility for the genocide of the Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War is placed on the Nazi forces and their allies. The law is expected to come into effect on January 1, 2026.
The date was proposed by members of the State Duma. The authors of the initiative noted that April 19, 1943, marked the moment when the first legal act was adopted that documented the systematic policy of the Nazis to exterminate the civilian population in occupied territories (Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR No. 39).
The explanatory note published on the State Duma's website emphasizes that "April 19 reminds all of humanity of the necessity to prevent the recurrence of genocide in the future."
The bill on the memorial date was approved by the State Duma on December 16. Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma, highlighted the importance of preserving the memory of the heroes who defended peace from Nazism.
Source: RBC
