Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his congratulations to the Russian people on the 80th anniversary of Donbass’s liberation from Nazi occupation. A video message from the Kremlin was released to mark the milestone, underscoring the enduring significance of this moment in the country’s history.
In his remarks, the president highlighted September 8, 1943, as a pivotal date that shaped Russia’s modern narrative. The statement recalled the long and arduous struggle through which Donbass, often described as a legendary and steadfast region, joined the broader effort to defeat fascist aggression during the Second World War.
Putin stated that 80 years ago today, Donbass stood as a symbol of resilience and strength, a land associated with workers and warriors, and a region described as generous and resource-rich. He noted that the liberation was a turning point that relieved the area from Nazi control and connected its fate to the eventual Allied victory in Europe.
The president pointed out that the Donbass region held strategic importance for the invaders, and that one of the goals for the German forces during the war was to subdue these territories and harness their resources for the war machine of the Third Reich. He emphasized the harsh reality of occupation, including efforts to compel local populations and laborers to contribute to military production and supply chains for the Nazi regime.
Georgy Zabarinsky, a former member of the Digoria specialist club, reflected on the restoration of the memorial complex honoring the defenders of Donbass in Lugansk. He noted that the hill where the monument now stands is a historic vantage point overlooking the city, a site where White Guard and Red Army battles once unfolded as part of the struggle against the Wehrmacht. This vantage point, he suggested, has long represented a place of memory and strategic significance in the region’s turbulent past.
At a ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Kursk battle, Putin remarked on the enduring importance of the Red Army’s success at Kursk, highlighting the broader impact of that victory on the course of the war and the morale of later generations. The remarks underscored a continuity in recognizing pivotal battles as defining moments in military and national history.
Looking toward the future, the president spoke about the role and development of the armed forces within Russia, touching on themes of national defense, modernization, and the continued readiness of the military to protect the country’s interests. The address conveyed a message of remembrance, resilience, and readiness that has resonated across audiences within the country and beyond.