World Cup fever hits Kremlin regiment on Red Square
A conductor holds a ball as he directs the Presidential Band during the Changing of the Guard ceremony in Red Square in Moscow, Russia June 30, 2018. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin
MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin's military regiment surprised World Cup fans in Moscow on Saturday by marching through Red Square with two members showing off their soccer skills.
The regiment, which usually marches inside the Kremlin's walls, changed its usual itinerary and crossed Red Square in front of a crowd of locals and foreign tourists.
Undeterred by heavy rain, two members of the regiment in ceremonial uniform passed around a soccer ball on Red Square's cobblestones while members of the cavalry followed marching guards.
A member of the Guard of Honour of the Presidential Regiment plays with a ball during the Changing of the Guard ceremony in Red Square in Moscow, Russia June 30, 2018. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin
Founded in 1936, the Kremlin regiment guards the Kremlin and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier outside its walls, among other tasks.
Russia is hosting the soccer World Cup for the first time, holding matches in 11 cities including Moscow, St Petersburg and Sochi.
A member of the Guard of Honour of the Presidential Regiment plays with a ball with a conductor of the Presidential Band during the Changing of the Guard ceremony in Red Square in Moscow, Russia June 30, 2018. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin
(Reporting by Nikolai Isayev; Writing by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber; Editing by Alison Williams)
Members of the Guard of Honour of the Presidential Regiment perform during the Changing of the Guard ceremony in Red Square in Moscow, Russia June 30, 2018. REUTERS/Sergei KarpukhinMembers of the Guard of Honour of the Presidential Regiment perform during the Changing of the Guard ceremony in Red Square in Moscow, Russia June 30, 2018. REUTERS/Sergei KarpukhinMembers of the Guard of Honour of the Presidential Regiment perform during the Changing of the Guard ceremony in front of St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square in Moscow, Russia June 30, 2018. REUTERS/Sergei KarpukhinMembers of the Cavalry Escort of the Presidential Regiment attend the Changing of the Guard ceremony in front of St. Basil's Cathedra in Red Square in Moscow, Russia June 30, 2018. REUTERS/Sergei KarpukhinMembers of the Guard of Honour of the Presidential Regiment attend the Changing of the Guard ceremony in front of St. Basil's Cathedra in Red Square in Moscow, Russia June 30, 2018. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin
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