Rustam Minnikhanov holds a meeting of organizational committees for the Year of Defenders of Fatherland and the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory in Tatarstan

On 22 February, speaking at a joint meeting of organizational committees for the Year of Defenders of Fatherland and the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory in Tatarstan held with participation of the regional Prime Minister Aleksey Pesoshin and the Chairman of the State Council of the republic Farid Mukhametshin at the Kazan Expo Exhibition Center  with representatives of ministries and directorates, heads of municipalities and regions and community leaders taking part in it, the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov said that in iron years of war the whole country united to defend the Motherland from invaders. “Every citizen- the old and the young made his or her contribution into the common case of struggle for freedom and independence. The year of 2025 will be inscribed into history first of all as the year of celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory,” he said.

He emphasized that today Tatarstan residents are courageously defending interests of the country fighting at the special military operation and declared a moment of silence in memory of those fallen when defending the Fatherland.

The Rais of the republic stated that history of Russia is glorious due to examples of heroism, courage and resilience demonstrated by our military and, having reminded about the 106 anniversary of the establishment of Kazan Armor School celebrated on 22 February, emphasized: “Our today’s main task is to care about every veteran of the special military operation and their families especially the families of the fallen. We should organize work in such a way that the SMO veterans and families of soldiers feel this care and can return to routine life.” 

Rustam Minnikhanov stated that every municipality, a settlement, an enterprise and concerned residents make their contribution into supporting people fulfilling their military duty at the SMO and expressed gratitude to heads of municipalities who think it a personal duty to take part in helping the soldiers. 

Tatarstan Deputy Prime Minister Leyla Fazleeva informed participants of the meeting about work done for taking medical and social care of veterans, awarding the title of “Honorary Citizens” to 88 participants of the WWII and financial support to participants of the WWII, residents of blockaded Leningrad, former underage prisoners of concentration camps, home front works and widows of the fallen. 

She also told about other events to be organized during the year of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory.

The Commander of Kazan Armor School General-Lieutenant Vitaliy Gerasimov told participants of the meeting about work in patriotic education of the youth, the Head of the branch of the “Defenders of Fatherland” Fund for Tatarstan Guzel Udachina spoke about measures for supporting SMO veterans and a volunteer from Muslim region of the republic Ruzal Mingazov shared his experience in volunteering. 

In conclusion Rustam Minnikhanov stated that the Year of the Defender of Fatherland is special for our country and said that a topic of patriotism and preservation of historical memory is the chief one and should run like a golden thread through every event. He gave an errand to keep special control over perpetuation of the memory of heroes and to involve volunteers into the most active participation in the topical events.