Address from Rustam Minnikhanov on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War (WWII)

In his address on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War (WWII), the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov congratulated residents of the republic war veterans and homefront workers with the holiday and wrote:

“79 years separate us from the historical date on May 9, 1945 when after 1 418 days of incredible ordeals and an unprecedented feat of our people there was a firework in honor of the victory over Fascist Germany. Even though many generations have passed since then, every year the Victory Day still has a strong response in our hearts. 

A big price was paid for the Victory. As many as 700 thousand people went to the front only from Tatarstan and half of them did not come back. Due to invincible will and solidary of all people, sticking power of soldiers and the homefront workers it became possible to uphold the freedom and independence of our Fatherland and free the whole humankind from the fascist yoke. Our veterans have become a personification of such eternal values as love to the Motherland, patriotism and honor and duty

Side by side will all multi-national people of Russia, residents of our republic are fighting for interests of our state, its safety and sovereignty and demonstrate courage in battlefields honestly fulfilling their military duty sometimes buying it by their lives though.

In this holiday we bow our heads to the bright memory of the fallen, those who died of hunger and hardships, tortures in concentration camps and pay homage to participants and witnesses of that horrible war who are still alive. Our words of gratitude to you, dear veterans, we are proud of and admire you.”

In conclusion Rustam Minnikhanov wishes Tatarstan residents peace, happiness, good health and prosperity.