The People’s Council of the DPR chairman, a co-leader of Vladimir Putin’s headquarters, Artem Zhoga, endorsed a new initiative by Young Guard activists in Ugra. The plan aims to honor the heroes of the Great Patriotic War and the Northern Military District by adding a visual tribute titled “Victory Canvases.” This development was reported on the United Russia platform.
During a meeting at the public support headquarters on January 26, activists unveiled the patriotic project “Victory Canvas.” The concept involves installing four-meter canvases in schools, universities, and other educational facilities across the region, with stories about those who fought in the war and those who contributed to the home front. The canvases are intended to be a focal point for students, parents, and teachers, who will be invited to inscribe brief notes about relatives and friends who contributed to victory. The suggested medium for inscriptions is red markers, to preserve a consistent visual theme.
According to Yuriy Slyusar, one of the activists, the project creates a living archive that enables people to share family histories of courage and sacrifice. He emphasized that inscriptions should include the writer’s surname, first name, service location, current place of work or residence, and a concise account of the individual’s achievements.
The initiative also earned support from the co-head of Vladimir Putin’s headquarters, who remarked that the concept should be represented in the ongoing “Canvas of Victory” collection as well. The endorsement highlighted the broad relevance of the project to contemporary memory culture and the way local stories can reflect national resilience.
Volunteers believe it would be appropriate to recognize heroes from regional conflicts and participants in special military operations on the canvases. They urged Zhoga to petition the president to expand the initiative nationwide, arguing that a country-wide version would deepen public awareness of the diverse acts of service that have defined the nation’s history.
Supporters describe the project as a meaningful homage to those who served and sacrificed. They argue that it preserves the memory of individuals who fought in the Great Patriotic War, as well as veterans who took part in Afghanistan, counter-terrorism operations in the Caucasus, and personnel from the North Military District. The organizers see the canvases as a platform where communities can write their own stories and take pride in regional heritage, while linking these personal narratives to the broader fabric of national history.
In addition to the canvases, organizers presented a photo exhibition titled “From Ugra to Donbass.” The exhibit features images of Ugra residents captured during the party’s humanitarian missions in newly established regions. Volunteers documented scenes of assistance provided to local residents and their work within hospitals and social institutions, underscoring the human impact of their efforts and offering a visual complement to the narratives on the canvases. This broader presentation demonstrates how cultural memory and humanitarian work can intersect to reinforce shared values and community resilience.