Tatarstan President: World War II required courage, strength of mind and at the same showed a lot of examples of endurance and heroism

On May 8, at the M. Jalil Tatar State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev and Prime Minister of the republic Aleksey Pesoshin took part in a solemn event to mark the 72nd anniversary of Victory in World War II.

"Victory Day is a great day in the history of our large multinational state. For 72 years we have been living under a peaceful sky thanks to the feat of arms and labor of our compatriots. Events of the war years, bitterness and sorrow will always live in our memory and in our hearts. The price of freedom and independence is enormous. Millions of Soviet people, hundreds of thousands of our fellow countrymen gave their lives fighting for the Victory," Tatarstan President said in his speech and asked a a minute of silence in honour of the memory of heroes.

In his address, Minnikhanov said that during war times two aviation and seven rifle divisions, a tank brigade, an anti-aircraft artillery regiment, 86 aviation regiments, and more than 6,000 individual crews were set up in the republic. More than 180,000 Tatarstan residents underwent universal military training. About 700,000 natives of our republic took part in battles, he said. 

Minnikhanov noted that World War II  required courage, strength of mind and at the same time showed a lot of examples of endurance and heroism.

Minnikhanov reminded that during the war about three hundred Tatarstan residents were awarded the title of Heroes of the Soviet Union and became Full Cavaliers of the Order of Glory. Over 200,000 residents were awarded military orders and medals.

"Unfortunately, time marches on inexorably. There are fewer and fewer of those, who are the living embodiment of the Great Victory. Therefore, our sacred duty to make all the dreams of the generation of winners come true is becoming more significant and important to us. Dear veterans! We are taking off out hats to you! From the bottom of my heart I congratulate you on the Great Victory Day, I wish you good health, emotional warmth, and a peaceful sky!" Tatarstan Presient added.

Then, Minnikhanov handed out certificates to state awards of the USSR.