President Putin Notes Veterans’ Moral Contribution To Accession Of Crimea, Sevastopol To Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he thanked veterans of the Great Patriotic War for heroic acts and noted their contribution to Crimea and Sevastopol’s accession to Russia. “We look up to you, dear veterans and your great moral contribution is in the fact that Crimea and Sevastopol have returned to the home country, you gave us great values of unity, justice and integrity and taught us to act according to conscience,” said Putin when speaking at the parade in Sevastopol dedicated to the 70th anniversary of freeing the hero-city from fascists.

“Generations, which grew up in Sevastopol, have always leaned on these values and remained faithful to the memory of those, who rebuild this region, this wonderful city and who, fought on this land at different times protecting the Homeland,” the Russian president said.

As to the heroism of Sevastopol residents, “the example of Sevastopol has shown the entire world that, where people are determined to fight for own land, their dignity and freedom, the enemy will not pass,” Putin said.

The year 2014 is a special year for Sevastopol and is rich in truly outstanding events, the president said.

Sevastopol got its name 230 years ago in February 1784 upon the order of Empress Yekaterina, Putin said. “The 160th anniversary of Sevastopol’s heroic defense during the Crimean war will be marked in September. I am certain that 2014 will also make it into the [city’s] chronicles and the chronicles of our entire country as a year, when ethnicities living here determined firmly to be together with Russia. Thus, they have confirmed the commitment to the historical truth and memory of our ancestors,” he said. Much work is ahead but all difficulties will be overcome, Putin said. “Because we are together, which means, we have become even stronger,” he said.

President Putin inspects parade of ships in Sevastopol

Russian President Vladimir Putin is inspecting the maritime element of the parade on the water in Sevastopol bay. Putin, accompanied by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Black Sea Commander Admiral Alexander Bitko, has used a power-boat to tour the line of participating battle ships. The Russian president welcomed and congratulated students of the Krusenstern barque, who came to Sevastopol specifically to participate in the parade, on the 69th anniversary of the Victory.

Putin is participating in the ceremonial events in Sevastopol dedicated to the 69th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the 70th anniversary of freeing Sevastopol from German Nazi invaders, Interfax reports.

Putin lays wreath to Monument to Defenders of Sevastopol in WWII

Russian President Vladimir Putin has laid a wreath to the Monument to the Defenders of Sevastopol in WWII on Friday, when Russia celebrates the Victory Day. The ceremony was held after the Russian head of state watched the Victory Day parade in that city, Itar-Tass reports.

Along with the president, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, representatives of local authorities and WWII veterans took part in the ceremony.

Earlier on Friday, the Russian president watched the parade on Moscow’s Red Square. Putin then left for Crimea, his first trip to the Crimean Federal District since its recent reunification with Russia.

Victory Day remains ‘symbol of Russian people’s triumph’ ,says President Putin

President Vladimir Putin described Victory Day as “a symbol of the Russian people’s triumph” saying that the memory of the war and its heroes is sacred to Russians. “We will always cherish this sacred and unfading truth and we will never allow the betrayal or oblivion of the heroes – all those who selflessly safeguarded peace on our planet,” Putin said at the Victory Parade on May 9.

“May 9 was and will remain our biggest holiday, a day of triumph, national pride, mourning and eternal memory,” said Putin who is also commander-in-chief of all Russian Armed Forces. He added that May 9, “…is a holiday that demonstrates the invincible power of patriotism, a day when we all become emotionally aware of what it is to be devoted to the Motherland and how important it is to defend the country’s interests”.

“The Soviet people’s unbending will, fearlessness and staying power saved Europe from slavery. It was our native country that drove the fascists out of their den and accomplished their crushing and final defeat at the cost of millions of lives and the hardest of trials,” Putin said.

“Victory was being forged at the front and at home, in partisan units and in underground resistance operations. It was brought within reach by the courage displayed during the siege of Leningrad, by the defenders of Sevastopol and by thousands of soldiers who stood firm defending their positions,” Putin said.

President Putin arrives in Sevastopol, Crimea, for V-Day celebrations

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Sevastopol, Crimea, on Friday on a surprise visit to attend ceremonies commemorating the 69th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the 70th anniversary of Sevastopol’s liberation from Nazi German invaders. This is Putin’s first visit to Crimea since the peninsula officially joined Russia after the late March Crimean-wide referendum on its status.

President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Sevastopol to join the festivities marking the 69th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Sevastopol.

Putin will address the parade on Grafskaya Pier, lay flowers at the memorial for the heroic defenders of Sevastopol, meet with WWII veterans and watch a concert.

The naval and aviation parts of the parade will begin later in the day.

The first Victory Day parade was held in Sevastopol on May 9 1965 after Sevastopol was awarded the title of hero city.

It was subsequently held in anniversary years and, starting in 2000, annually with the participation of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the Ukrainian Navy.

Combat vehicles were displayed in the parade for the fist time in 2013.

This year’s parade is the first one to be held following Crimea’s and Sevastopol’s integration with Russia. The parade will proceed under the command of Maj. Gen. Alexander Ostrikov, the chief of the Black Sea Fleet’s Coastguard, and it will be inspected by Black Sea Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Alexander Vitko. Crimea’s festive events will be held in Sevastopol, Kerch and Simferopol.

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