Rustam Minnikhanov: The Eternal Flame is the symbol of unfading memory about the feat of our people

On 6 April the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov took part in a solemn ceremony of lighting the Eternal Flame in the reconstructed memorial complex in the village of Novy in Tukaevsky region of the republic. Before the ceremony he welcomed war veterans who were invited as guests of honor. 

The main event of a large scale All-Russia action “We keep the flame of the Victory” took part today when 80 Eternal Flames were lighted simultaneously all over Russia. 

After welcoming speeches of Russian Minister of Energy Sergey Tsivilyov, the Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom Board Sergey Khomyakov and the Director General of the Gazprom Mezhregiongas Sergey Gustov, in his speech Rustam Minnikhanov  stated that the half of 700 000 residents of Tatarstan who went to the front during the WWII perished and 353 residents became the Heroes of the Soviet Union.  

He also emphasized that the republic made a serious contribution into the victory not only at the front but also in the rear as from the very beginning of the war Tatarstan enterprises and rural residents took active part in fulfilling military orders and provided the front with all necessary things. That is why the capital of Tatarstan – the city of Kazan and Zelenodolsk   proudly bear the title of "City of Labor Valor".

The Rais of the republic said that today worthy heirs of the generation of Victors defend the interests of our country at the special military operation. “We are immensely grateful to our soldiers for their courage and bravery, for their heroism and loyalty to the oath,” he said and after congratulating everyone with the coming V-day he laid flowers to the memorial of military glory and handed in the Orders of Courage to the families of the fallen soldiers.