Putin Honors US-Soviet WWII Airlift Before Alaska Summit With Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin laid flowers on Friday at the “Heroes of ALSib” memorial in Magadan, a monument that commemorates the U.S.–Soviet Alaska-Siberia air route used during World War II to ferry some 8,000 American-built aircraft to the Red Army. More than 100 Soviet pilots are believed to have died navigating the extreme Arctic conditions along the corridor, which was critical to the allied war effort. The ceremony—described by Russian state media as a rare public appearance by the president—came shortly before Putin was due to depart on a four-hour flight to Alaska for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. The timing of the tribute signals Moscow’s intent to highlight historical cooperation as the two leaders prepare to meet amid strained bilateral relations.