On September 26, GlavUpDK under the MFA of Russia and the GorkyClassic Automotive Historical Society hosted the traditional Diplomatic Rally.
This year, the event was scheduled to coincide with the national Thank You, #WEARETOGETHER Initiative, celebrating the ascension of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, the Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions to the Russian Federation (September 30).
The plaza in front of the MFA of Russia's high-rise administrative building on Smolenskaya-Sennaya Square welcomed crews of over 40 Soviet and foreign cars made before 1992, including models from the Gorky Automotive Plant: the legendary GAZ-24, GAZ-21, M-20 «Pobeda», and executive-class GAZ-13. The drum ensemble from the Russian Foreign Ministry College rounded up the festive mood.
The 150-kilometer-long rally started on Smolenskaya-Sennaya Square. A visit to the Reception House of the Russian Foreign Ministry: an exquisite mansion that used to belong to Zinaida Morozova (17 Spiridonovka Street) was the interim point. Alexey Ochnev, Chief Architect of GlavUpDK under the MFA of Russia, and historian Anna Esparsa talked to the guests about the mansion's history during a tour.
The rally's destination point was, as usual, the Zavidovo Recreation Complex (an affiliate of GlavUpDK) in the Tver Region. The participants were treated to a packed entertainment program: a musical picnic, a barbecue party, and an official award ceremony for the winners of the Diplomatic Rally 2026.
The night concluded with a screening of the This Is My Car documentary focused on Vladimir Nosakov, the creator of the legendary GAZ-14 Chaika, chief designer of GAZ cars, and the inventor of the GAZel brand.
The first stage of the Diplomatic Rally 2026 took place in Moscow earlier, on September 16. 20 cars participated in the International Russophile Vintage Car Rally. The event complemented the program of the Fourth Congress of the International Russophile Movement, where Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov spoke at the plenary session on September 17.
Media coverage:
Fourth Diplomatic Rally takes place as part of Thank You, #WEARETOGETHER Initiative
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