Rustam Minnikhanov addresses Tatarstan citizens on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of victory in the Battle of Stalingrad

On February 2, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov addressed Tatarstan citizens on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of victory in the Battle of Stalingrad.

“Dear Tatarstan citizens!

Seventy-five years ago, the last shots of the great battle at Stalingrad died down on the banks of the Volga River. This glorious battle, which lasted for almost six months, marked a radical change in the course of the Great Patriotic War and the World War II.

Stalingrad became a symbol of the courage and unswerving spirit of our soldiers, the talent and skills of our generals. The victory was also achieved thanks to self-sacrifice, endurance of the homefront workers.

Tatarstan made a significant contribution to the Stalingrad epic as well. Thousands and thousands of sons and daughters of our republic fought in the battle near the Volga banks. The defenders of the city passed on by word of mouth the name of the famous sniper, the former Kazan worker Anatoly Chekhov, who personally destroyed 265 Nazis. Anti-tank rifleman, corporal Ramazanov and the Red Army man Shkuratov distinguished themselves while defending the famous "Pavlov's House". The pilots of the fighter wing under the command of the Hero of the Soviet Union Farid Fatkhullin tried to make every combat flight effective.

The enterprises and organizations of the Tatar Soviet Socialist Republic made their contribution to supplying the army with everything necessary - weapons, uniforms, food. The home front at that time was a genuine second front of the Great Patriotic War.

From the bottom of my heart I congratulate our veterans, activists of military-patriotic organizations, workers of military historical museums and all Tatarstan citizens on the 75th anniversary since the defeat of the German fascist troops in the battle of Stalingrad.

Let the Stalingrad Victory always be a formidable lesson to Russia's enemies and a point of geniune pride for all of us.

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov.”