Russian communists commemorate 1917 revolution Around 3000 Russian communists have marched through the streets of Moscow's city centre to mark the 97th anniversary of the 1917 revolution. The party leader, Gennady Zyuganov, called for patriotism and unity in the face of Western sanctions and conflict in Ukraine There were also similar marches in the former Soviet Republics of Belarus, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan.