The parade dedicated to the 31st anniversary of the formation of the Republic of South Ossetia is taking place on the central square of Tskhinval. The parade is being received by the Defense Minister of the Republic, Lieutenant General Ibragim Gasseev, the Chief of Staff of the Defense Ministry Viktor Fedorov is in command of the parade.
Delegations from Russia, Syria, Abkhazia, Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics arrived in the capital. The first president of South Ossetia, Ludvig Chibirov, and the third president of the republic, Leonid Tibilov, are also on the podium.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Anatoly Bibilov congratulated the residents of the Republic: “Today South Ossetia is celebrating the 31st anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Sovereignty. On September 20, 1990, the people's deputies unanimously voted for the creation of a sovereign statehood of South Ossetia. This decision marked a radical turn in the history of our people – a turn towards freedom and independence."
The head of state has said that the creation of their own statehood was the only way to protect South Ossetia and its people from the arbitrariness of Georgia. "Georgia, which in the memory of living generations committed the genocide against the Ossetians in 1920, the same Georgia at the end of the 20th century did everything possible to deprive our people of the right to their homeland, national dignity and future, to wipe South Ossetia off the face of the earth," he said.
Anatoly Bibilov has noted that thanks to the help of Russia, invariably loyal to the allied duty and invariably coming to the rescue in times of mortal danger, the South Ossetian people were able to withstand and came to victory, which was marked by the recognition of the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of South Ossetia of the Russian Federation on August 26, 2008.
Addressing the veterans of the freedom movement, the fighters who stood up to defend the Motherland, the head of state stressed that the people of South Ossetia thank the defenders for their courage, for love for the Fatherland, for faith in the Republic, for selfless labor and feats of arms. "Blessed memory to all who should have rightfully shared the joy of today's holiday, but gave their lives for the sake of the Fatherland, whose path was interrupted by the war or the unlimited tension of vitality," the President said and asked to observe their bright names with a minute of silence.
Bibilov said that the forces that in August 2008 tried to turn South Ossetia into an open field did not calm down. "Georgia has changed its tactics, taking a crude lie as its allies and operating with the instruments of the most unscrupulous propaganda. On international platforms, Georgian representatives are disseminating the myth that Russia is allegedly occupying South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which it declares to be Georgian lands, and now the Georgian allies are issuing absurd appeals to Russia to withdraw recognition and withdraw troops from the territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. However, lies have short legs. More and more people in the world learn about South Ossetia and declare their support for our republic, "he said in his speech.
The head of state addressed his compatriots: "May our country flourish more and more every year, may the life of the people become happier! Long live our indestructible union with Great Russia! Long live the Republic of South Ossetia!"
The state anthems of the Republic of South Ossetia and the Russian Federation were played. The military band provided musical accompaniment for the military parade, including the removal of the state flag of South Ossetia, the greeting of the parade commander, and the march of foot and mechanized columns.
At these minutes, the parade crews of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the KGB Border Service, the Cadet School, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Justice are marching along the square, for several years in a row, foot columns have been decorating by the women's parade crews of power structures, which from the very first parade took high bar in drill.
In total, there are more than 800 servicemen, 19 parade crews and 6 banner groups.
Traditionally, servicemen of the Border Guard Service of the FSB of the Russian Federation and the 4th Guards Military Base of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation are also participating in the parade.
A mechanized convoy of 30 units will drove through the square - as part of the equipment of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the 4th military base - Grad multiple launch rocket systems, KamAZ trucks with towed guns and armored personnel carriers BTR-80.
A solemn meeting of the public will also be held in Tskhinval on Monday. The celebration of the Republic Day will end with a grand firework over Tskhinval.
The militia officers were transferred to an enhanced mode of work. Guests from the State Duma of the Russian Federation, delegations from North Ossetia, Syria, DPR, LPR, Abkhazia arrived in the Republic for the celebration.
The head of state is receiving congratulations from the heads of friendly countries, diasporas, and regions of the Russian Federation.
On the occasion of the holidays, four days off were announced in the Republic from September 19 to 22.
