Address of Rustam Minnikhanov on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the Victory in the World War II

“Dear Tatarstan residents! I heartily congratulate you on the Victory Day in the World War II! On this national holiday, we bow down before the feat of the multinational Soviet people, who have given future generations  peaceful life and freedom. Victory came at a heavy cost. The bloody war touched every family. Only 700,000 people left the republic for the front, more than half of them did not return home.

The heroic deeds of Musa Jalil, Mikhail Devyatayev, Maguba Syrtlanova, Pyotr Gavrilov, Gani Safiullin, Nikolay Stolyarov, Gazi Zagitov, Alexey Isaev, Sabir Akhtyamov, Mikhail Simonov, Farid Fatkullin, Boris Kuznetsov and many others are forever inscribed in the history of our country.

The memory of those who fell in battles, died of wounds and starvation, were tortured in concentration camps, died from bombings is forever in the hearts of descendants. We will not forget and we will not forgive the crimes of the fascist invaders and their accomplices, the inhuman abuse of peaceful people, we will not let Nazism raise its head. Special words of respect also go to the home front workers who forged weapons of Victory at factory machines, worked on collective farm fields and in design bureaus, hospital doctors who treated the wounded, cultural figures who raised the fighting spirit of our defenders.

Time runs forward inexorably. Every year there are fewer and fewer participants and witnesses of that terrible war among us. The greater the honor and respect for every veteran who lives now. Their selfless devotion to the Fatherland, unbending will and fortitude serve as an example for us. And today, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the winners are once again responding to the threats and challenges of the time, defending the historical truth in the fight against neo-Nazism, and defending our Motherland with honor.

Dear Tatarstan residents! This holy day unites us in an effort to preserve the memory and truth about the World War II, in the conviction that, as before, the enemy will be defeated, we will win! I am sure that Victory Day will remain a moral guidelines for us, according to which we and all next generations will check their actions and deeds. I sincerely wish all of you, dear Tatarstan residents, a peaceful sky over your head, happiness and prosperity! Happy Holidays! Happy Victory Day!”