Russian Embassy marks 80th anniversary of victory over Nazism in WWII
Speaking on behalf of the ambassadors of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) -- Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan; Russian Ambassador to Kuwait Vladimir Zheltov stated 'eight decades have passed since the conclusion of the Great Patriotic War, the term used in Russia to denote World War II, commencing with the Nazi German assault on the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941 and culminating in Germany's capitulation on May 9, 1945.' He explained 'this conflict remains deeply entrenched in the collective consciousness of those who experienced it or inherited its legacy, notwithstanding the evolving geopolitical landscape and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.'
He added the events during those tumultuous years were not spontaneous, as they are rather the consequences of the major disruption of the global order following World War I and the endeavors of certain powers to exploit Nazism as a tool against the Soviet Union. He pointed out that the Nazi offensive against the Soviet Union is considered the most brutal assault in history, with the Soviets confronting a force bolstered by the majority of European nations. 'This conflict evolved into a protracted war of attrition lasting four years. During this period, the Red Army effectively dismantled the German war machine and liberated half of the European continent,' he revealed. He stressed that the Soviet Union bore the brunt of the war, incurring the loss of 27 million citizens, predominantly civilians; and that 78 percent of the Nazi Army casualties occurred on the Eastern Front alone.
He said the Second Front was not established until June 1944, less than a year before the end of the war, illustrating the immense challenge that the Soviet forces faced independently. He vehemently condemned the attempts of some western entities to revise history and distort facts, asserting that 'today, we observe disconcerting efforts to diminish the Soviet Union's role and absolve those who collaborated with the Nazis. This signifies a lapse in political memory and disregard for the lessons of history.'
He affirmed that observing this anniversary is a moral imperative towards those who sacrificed their lives for liberty and a reminder to all generations that historical accuracy remains an impenetrable defense against falsehoods and distortion of facts. Moreover, Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan to Kuwait Zubaydullah Zubaydov asserted that the observance of the 80th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) holds national importance, as it allows Tajikistan to reaffirm its commitment to the considerable sacrifices made by its people in the fight against Nazism. He said this anniversary transcends historical occurrence, as it is an essential element of the Tajik national identity.
He disclosed that more than 300,000 Tajiks served in the Red Army -- a huge figure considering the Republic's population at the time was below 1.5 million. He elaborated that Tajikistan, despite its geographical separation from the main areas of conflict, played a crucial role in the provision of military and humanitarian aid; thereby, contributing to the liberation of main areas such as Belarus and Crimea. He added some Tajik soldiers were among those who first entered the Reichstag in Berlin in 1945.
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Arab Times
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