Rustam Minnikhanov takes part in opening a memorial bust to Hero of Russia, participant of the special military operation Damir Gilemkhanov

On 8 May at the secondary school 42 in Kazan the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov , the Chief Federal Inspector for Tatarstan Viktor Demidov, the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, representatives of the All-Russia children’s and youth military patriotic movement “Yunarmiya”, participants of the special military operation (SVO), and teachers and schoolchildren took part in a ceremony of opening a memorial bust to the Hero of Russia, the participant of the SVO Damir Gilemkhanov held with participation of him mother Linariya and sister Ruzilya Gilemkhanovs.

Participants of the event honored the memory of those who died for the Motherland with a minute of silence.

Speaking at the ceremony, Rustam Minnikhanov reminded that the graduate of the Kazan school 42, which now has been named after him, together with his crew died in an unequal battle, destroying four enemy tanks, and said: “The names of our heroes have been forever inscribed into pages of heroic history of Russia. They were the first Tatarstan residents - participants of the SVO awarded the high title of the Hero of Russia.”

The dedication and fortitude of Damir Gilemkhanov are an incredible example of courage and bravery, the Rais of Tatarstan emphasized and said words of deep gratitude to the his family and first of all to his mother Linariya.

“You have raised a remarkable son, the brave defender of the Motherland whom the whole republic and the country are proud of,” he said to her.

Having also thanked teachers of the school, Rustam Minnikhanov said “In our difficult time it is important for our young people to know their heroes - those who without hesitation stood up to defend the Motherland, who selflessly and courageously fulfilled their military duty. Our sacred task is to preserve the bright memory of Damir Gilemkhanov and all our heroes, to pass on to future generations the ideals of honor, dignity and faithful service to the Fatherland.”

After the Hero of Russia Rasim Barsikov, who is also a member of the regional State Council, emphasized that all who have come here express their gratitude and deep respect to their brother-in arms Damir Gilemkhanov, who died a heroic death while fulfilling his sacred duty to the Motherland, Linariya Gilemkhanova stated that this monument is to all the fallen as the memory of them stands in line with the memory of our fallen grandfathers and great-grandfathers.