Rais of Tatarstan: Participants of Special Military Operation are real heroes of our time who fight for the Motherland with honor and valour

On 9 May the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, the State Counselor of the republic Mintimer Shaimiev, the Chairman of the state Council of the republic Farid Mukhametshin, the regional Prime Minister Aleksey Pesoshin, the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin and participants of the special military operation (SVO) took part in a solemn ceremony dedicated to the erection of the memorial stone on the construction site of a future memorial complex dedicated to participants of the SVO in the Victory Park in Kazan.

Speaking at the ceremony, Rustam Minnikhanov congratulated its participants with the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) and said:” May 9 always was, is and will be our main holiday! It is the day of national triumph and public pride, the day of mourning and sadness. It is symbolic that in the jubilee year of the great Victory we are having the ceremony of laying the memorial stone together with participants of the SVO who today continue the deed of their fathers and grandfathers with honor. Thus we are giving the start to an important and noble event – construction of a memorial which will become a symbol of our endless gratitude to defenders of the Fatherland.”

He emphasized that it is another important step in preservation of historical truth about feats of our heroes which is one of the main tasks set forth by the President of Russia and stated that today thousands of residents of the republic defend freedom and independence of our country at the SVO.

“Some of them are here with us today and they are heroes of our time who fight for the Motherland with honor and valour. Unfortunately there are losses and we bow our heads to the bright memory of those who did not return and who are no longer here. We share the pain of loss of all those who lost their loved ones during the performance of their combat missions,” the Rais of Tatarstan said and in conclusion wished everyone good health, prosperity and all the best.

Following the minute of silence, the floor was given to relatives of the fallen in the SVO and after that everyone laid flowers to the memorial stone.