Aleksandr Lukashenko wishes Happy Victory Day to all Belarusians

    Dear compatriots,

    I cordially congratulate you on the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

    On this sacred day we are especially grateful to the liberators and people working in the rear who defended the freedom and independence of our Motherland in the fierce fight against Nazi invaders. The holiday celebrated on 9 May is inseparably connected with the glorious generation of victors who saved the world from the “brown plague”, defended the Fatherland and then worked hard to raise the country from ruins. The feat of the Soviet people will be remembered by the entire mankind forever.

    Today we also commemorate numerous victims of the war. We are united by the bitterness of losses in virtually every family. The Great Patriotic War claimed millions of lives, brought manifold hardships and tribulations. The Belarusians will be always grateful to those who endured terrible ordeals to smash fascism at the front and in partisan brigades in the name of peace and kindness.

    The unparalleled heroism displayed by the older generation during the war will serve as a moral compass for the youth. This victory gave us an opportunity to live and work in peace for the benefit of the Fatherland.

    We will always remember those who did not live to this peaceful day and were killed in the battlefield. We bow low to the veterans for their tenacity, courage and heroism in the fight against fascism.

    I wish many years of health and wellbeing to all Belarusians.

    Aleksandr Lukashenko