Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov addresses citizents of Tatarstan on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of victory in the Battle of Kursk

Dear citizens of Tatarstan!

From the bottom of my heart, I congratulate you on the 75th anniversary of victory in the Battle of Kursk.

Fierce battles on the Kursk Bulge in summer days of 1943 led to a radical change in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

Despite defeat of the German fascist troops in Stalingrad, the enemy, who carried out total mobilization using new super-powerful tanks, expected to win.

However, the very first days of the Battle of Kursk showed the futility of the Nazi plans. The high level of strategic management with the Armed Forces, unshakable courage and confidence in the victory of all the front-line soldiers, the increased capabilities of our defense complex predetermined the failure of the fascist offensive, the final moving of the initiative to the side of the Red Army.

This enabled to liberate most of the occupied territory of the USSR by autumn of 1943.

Citizens of Tatarstan bravely fought in Kursk. Among the soldiers, who were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, we will always remember and honor the native dweller of the Rybnaya-Sloboda region, the gunner of the anti-tank gun Sergeant Zakiy Shaimardanov, who shot five fascist tanks in one battle, including three Tiger tanks. The T-34 tanks with the inscription "Collective Farmer of Tatar Republic" on board made attacks as part of the 10th tank corps in the famous battle near the village of Prokhorovka. The enemy was attacked on the southern ground flank of the Kursk Bulge by the Pe-2 diving bomber of the 202nd Air Division, built using funds of the residents of our republic in Kazan.

There is no doubt that the combat and labor feat of Tatarstan played its part in salvos of the first victorious salutes that marked the liberation of Oryol and Belgorod.

The glorious pages of the history of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 are not only the subject of our special respect and pride, but also the basis of confidence in the strength and power of our Motherland.

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov.