Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: Belarus and Russia treasure the memory of the Great Patriotic War

MINSK, 29 September (BelTA) - Belarus and Russia treasure the memory of the Great Patriotic War, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the plenary session of the 7th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia on 29 September, BelTA has learned.

“We are proud that Belarusians and Russians, together with other USSR peoples, made a decisive contribution to the victory over fascism. This year we have celebrated a sacred event for all of us - the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War,” the Belarusian leader said.

He said that the USSR peoples had suffered enormous losses in that war. Every third inhabitant was killed in Belarus alone. During the years of occupation, the German invaders destroyed 209 out of 270 Belarusian cities and district centers, and almost 2,000 villages. “We fought for every piece of our native land. Our country is well-known for a nationwide resistance movement during the war. Even children fought against fascists. In late 1943 some 60% of the country's territory was under the control of people's avengers,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“Belarus and Russia treasure the memory of that war. Even in the tiniest village there is an obelisk with a red star. None of them have been abandoned or destroyed. We continue erecting memorials. For example, the Trostenets memorial complex has been built on the site of the former Nazi concentration camp near Minsk. That was the fourth biggest death factory in Europe behind Auschwitz, Majdanek and Treblinka. More than 200,000 people were killed there,” the head of state said.

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