On February 22, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov took part in a solemn event dedicated to Defender of the Fatherland Day at Tatar academic state theatre named after Musa Dzhalil.

Head of Kazan higher military command school Major-General Vladimir Maistrenko congratulated veterans of Great Patriotic War, Afghanistan war, combat operations, and military service on the holiday: “Defence of the Fatherland and military service have always been honourable, and people respect those who chose this profession. Nowadays military men of the army and fleet fairly fulfil their duty, learn to use military equipment and improve combat skills on training grounds, in the sea and air protecting national interests and military security of the country.” He noted that people of different generations of defenders of the fatherland came to the event.

“We are proud of courage of military men who fulfilled their duty in Afghanistan, and other places abroad, took part in anti-terrorist and peacemaking operations and liquidation of circumstances of the Chernobyl disaster. Unfortunately not all of them are alive,” Maistrenko said.

According to Maistrenko, many people from Tatarstan do military service in different regions of the country and abroad. He noted the continuous support of Tatarstan President.

“This day is filled with deep patriotic feeling, embodies the unbreakable bond of generations, continuance of traditions selfless service to the Fatherland, and is the appreciation of merits of many generations of defenders to the state,” Rustam Minnikhanov said. He also reminded that the country is preparing for celebrating the 70th anniversary of Victory.

The president also noted that the package of measures on supporting veterans of Great Patriotic War, rendering primary medical and social services and sanatorium-resort treatment, the programmes on improving housing conditions of veterans are being realized.