Russian heroes of the Arctic convoys will visit Inverness as part of a reunion tour with British counterparts.
The group, which includes 97-year-old veteran Anatoli Lifshits, will arrive in the Highland capital on Christmas Eve.
They will be welcomed at a lunch reception at the Town House by the provost of Inverness, Councillor Alex Graham and Inverness city manager, David Haas.
The veterans, who are travelling from Moscow and St Petersburg, will also visit Edinburgh, Newcastle, London and Portsmouth, as part of their tour.
The visit is reciprocal to the Russian hospitality when a group of British convoy veterans visited St Petersburg in autumn this year, for the 73rd anniversary of the first Arctic convoy, code named “Dervish” and the unveiling of the memorial to the heroism of the sailors.
Provost Graham said: “The Arctic convoys left from Loch Ewe in Wester Ross carrying vital war supplies to our Russian Allies, and the heroism of their crews created an enduring bond between our countries. It will be a privilege to welcome the Russian convoy veterans to Inverness and the Town House on Christmas Eve. We will give them a very warm Highland welcome to reflect the high esteem in which they are held by everyone in the Highlands.”
In his welcome message ahead of the visit, former First Sea Lord, Admiral Baron West of Spithead, said: “I wish the brave Russian veterans a wonderful visit to the UK. I know their brothers in arms, the British veterans of the Arctic convoys, have always been royally looked after on their visits to Russia. More than 70 years ago their joint bravery and fortitude enabled the Soviet Union to survive and sealed the fate of the Third Reich. We owe them a great deal and have great pride in their achievements.”