Mikhail Gorbachev's funeral held in Moscow

In the heart of Moscow, hundreds of mourners are lining up to say goodbye to Mikhail Gorbachev, the final president of the Soviet Union and a man who is frequently credited with ending the Cold War.

A private funeral will be held in the Novodevichy cemetery after the farewell service, which is taking place in the Hall of Pillars of Moscow's House of the Unions.

The funeral would have "features of a state funeral," according to a Kremlin official, but Vladimir Putin will not attend because of his "busy schedule."

Nevertheless, armed police and armoured vehicles were stationed downtown in Moscow, where there was a strong security presence. 

A military guard of honour may be one of the arrangements for the funeral that the Russian government is in charge of.

In spite of the resentment many Russians had toward Gorbachev for hastening the fall of the Soviet Union, mourners carried bouquets of carnations and roses as they spoke of "paying respect" to his legacy and the "gift of freedom" he gave the nation.

He still inspires a lot of liberal Russians.

“I am here to pay tribute to a great man,” said Galina Ivanchenko, who was carrying a bouquet of carnations. “He took on a burden that none of us could have and he should be remembered for that, despite what everyone says.”

She expressed her hope that as time passed, more Russians would remember him with a greater affection.

“Who hasn’t made mistakes?” she asked. “He should be forgiven. He should never have been blamed.”

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