Parade celebrating the 66th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War takes place in Kazan

Festive parade celebrating the 66th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War took place in Kazan. President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, RT State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev, RT Premier Ildar Khalikov, and Chairman of RT State Council Farid Mukhametshin took part in festive event on Millenium Square.

“Dear participants of parade, veterans and workers on the home front, military men of Kazan garrison! I sincerely congratulate you on 66th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War!”- Head of Tatarstan addressed gathered people.

“On May, 9, 1945 the most terrible and bloody war ended and long-expected peace settled down on Earth. We paid millions of lives, many destroyed cities and villages for it. But our people held out and won”, - Rustam Minnikhanov said.

“Today we remember with gratitude those who fell down on battle fields. Out of 700 000 people who went to the front from Tatarstan every second did not come back home. Their names, memories about them are still in our hearts”, - RT President said and asked to honor the memory of the fallen by minute's silence.

Head of republic reminded that during the war Tatarstan delivered weapon, projectiles and foodstuff to the front, military units were formed in republic. “Evacuated enterprises and major scientific centres were functioning in republic, thousands of the injured received treatment in hospitals, we accepted refugees and survivors of siege”, - Rustam Minnikhanov said.

“I wish our veterans happiness, health and all the best, and I wish all Tatarstaners to be worthy successors of combat and labor glory of winners’ generation”, - Rustam Minnikhanov announced.