Donetsk, Jun 12 - DAN. More than 5,000 Donetsk People’s Republic residents gathered at the object d'art "Russia" in central Donetsk’s Pervomaiskiy Square on Tuesday to mark Russia Day, the event organisers said.

Head of the Donetsk Republic social movement Central Executive Committee Natalia Volkova, city and district administration officials were among the participants.

“Russia is a great country with a centuries-long history, a multi-ethnic state in a vast expanse. Its power and glory evokes respect and awe in the international arena,” Volkova said addressing the rally. “Russia Day is our holiday too, because it is a symbol of the consolidation of peoples.”

She conveyed the best wishes of DPR Head, Donetsk Republic chairman Alexander Zakharchenko to the participants on the occasion of Russia Day.

The rally was followed by the performance of singers from the Donetsk Philharmonic Society and the Donetsk State Academic Musical and Drama Theatre.

Russia Day is a national holiday of the Russian Federation celebrated on June 12 since 1992. It was established in honour of the adoption of the declaration of Russia’s state sovereignty.*jk