On June 24, Donetsk hosted a military parade dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. According to a correspondent of the official website of the Donetsk People’s Republic, tens of thousands of citizens and guests came to the main square of the capital to see the military parade.
Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin gave a welcome speech to the audience.
“Dear citizens of the Donetsk People’s Republic! Dear veterans and soldiers! The parade in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War is being held on the day of the historic event: the Victory March on Red Square in Moscow on June 24, 1945.
Three quarters of a century ago, the Soviet military won the triumphant victory in the bloodiest war of human history. The shameful crushing defeat of the Third Reich army, which brought half of Europe to heel, came true only thanks to the unity, cohesion and courageous efforts of the residents of the great country.
Today, we pay tribute of immeasurable respect to the heroism of the victorious people. We consider this feat sacred. We owe an irredeemable debt to all those who sacrificed themselves for the sake of peace on earth and defended the right to life of many generations in the deadly battle with the ruthless enemy.
The victory over the German Nazism came at a high price, and the residents of Donbass made their worthy contribution to it. 456 thousand natives of the former Donetsk region fought against the Nazis during the Great Patriotic War. 275 our compatriots were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. In 1941, three rifle divisions — 383rd, 393rd and 395th, known as “Shakhtyorskiye” — went to the front, having drawn the collapse of Hitler’s invading plans nearer.
This time was marked by the liberation struggle of a huge scale. The multinational Red Army mopped up Donbass from the Nazi wickedness during fierce bloody battles in 1943.
The history of the liberation of the Soviet Union’s industrial heart is full of examples of heroic battles. More than 800 streets, avenues and squares in cities, towns and villages of the former Donetsk region are named after the liberators and combat units of the Red Army. The grateful descendants forever immortalized the names of their defenders. We bow our heads to the blessed memory of those who did not return from the war, to the memory of all the faithful sons and daughters of the Fatherland who did not live to celebrate the Great Victory,” Denis Pushilin said.
Those present observed a minute of silence in tribute to the memory of fallen defenders of the Motherland.
“Dear veterans! On this day, please accept the words of heartfelt gratitude for the unprecedented heroic feat! It is the merit of your generation of heroes that we—your descendants—have got the opportunity to live in our land. You are an example of love and loyalty to the Motherland for us. You inspire us to fight for the independence of Donbass and for labor achievements. We bow low to you, dear veterans!
Dear citizens of the Donetsk People’s Republic! It is our duty to preserve the memory of the struggle against German Nazism, to preserve and protect the glory of the Great Victory! We see how much effort is made in the world to distort the historical truth about the Second World War, about the role of the Soviet Union in the victory over Hitler’s Nazism.
Neo-Nazism is livening up. The criminal Kiev authorities ignored the harsh lessons of that war and, having adopted nationalism and radicalism, unleashed an armed conflict against the hardworking Donbass.
We have managed to protect our values, proved that we are worthy of the great feat of the people-liberator and the memory that the veterans keep. We never stop forging our own victory. Today, those who defend our homeland and bring closer the cherished day of our victory will take part in the jubilee parade. It is inevitable because justice and truth are on our side today, like it was three quarters of a century ago.
I once again congratulate all citizens of the Donetsk People’s Republic on the 75th anniversary of the defeat of German Nazism. Glory to the victorious people! Hurrah!” Denis Pushilin addressed the audience.