On Saturday, a solemn meeting was held in Tskhinval dedicated to the Day of Defender of the Fatherland and the 30th anniversary of the formation of the Defense Ministry of South Ossetia.
The event at the State Drama Theater of the Republic was attended by representatives of the leadership, Parliament Speaker Alan Alborov, Russian Ambassador to the Republic Marat Kulakhmetov, the leadership of the Defense Ministry, combat veterans, military personnel, representatives of the ministries and departments, parliament and the public.
A delegation from Abkhazia headed by the Deputy Minister of Defense of the fraternal republic, Major General Nodar Avidzba, arrived at the anniversary events.
At the beginning of the event, a film was shown about the creation of the national army, the difficult stages of the formation of the Defense Ministry of South Ossetia. Those present honored the memory of the heroes of South Ossetia with a minute of silence.
On behalf of the President of South Ossetia, Alan Gagloev, the words of congratulations were read out by the secretary of the Security Council of the Republic, Anatoly Pliev.
“The beginning of the formation of the defense forces of the Republic of South Ossetia fell on a difficult time for our country, full of severe trials. In the conditions of armed aggression from Georgia, the citizens of the young republic had to take up arms and stand up for the Fatherland. Despite the signing in 1992 of the Agreement on the Principles of the Peaceful Settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian Conflict and the deployment of peacekeeping forces, it was clear that Georgia would not abandon its plans to seize South Ossetia. The creation of the armed forces was an urgent, vital necessity,” the President's message says.
In the congratulation of the head of state, it was noted that despite the difficulties of the period of formation of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic, it coped with its tasks.
“We will never forget the fraternal help of the Russian Federation. Today, our defenders, volunteers, shoulder to shoulder with Russian soldiers, are fighting for peace for the people of Donbass. This is a true example of loyalty to the allied duty. We know that if necessary, if there is a threat to peace in our land, then we can always count on Russia's quick and decisive help," Pliev read out the message.
The Defense Minister of the Republic Marat Pavlov congratulated the defenders of South Ossetia on a significant date.
“February 23 is a holiday for military personnel, participants and veterans of military service, who gave the best years of their lives in the name of the independence and freedom of South Ossetia. Each of those present at the solemn meeting contributed to the repulse of external military aggression, the fight against the insidious, cruel enemy,” he said.
Pavlov has stressed that the Defense Ministry of the Republic has been emulating the mass heroism shown on the fields of the Great Patriotic War.
"Our fathers and grandfathers freed not only their homeland from the brown plague, but also the whole of Europe. The new historical realities are such that they are again trying to rewrite history, to doubt the decisive role of the Soviet people in the defeat of fascism. But, we will always remember the immortal feat of the Soviet soldier," the Minister said.
The head of the Defense Ministry has addressed the words of gratitude to the servicemen who have been performing the most difficult combat missions during Russia's special operation in Ukraine.
“Citizens of South Ossetia are fighting shoulder to shoulder with the Russian military. They show the best qualities of a liberator and defender,” said Marat Pavlov.
On behalf of the Defense Minister of Abkhazia, a congratulatory address was read out by Major General Nodar Avidzba.
“This day can rightly be called one of the most important holidays for the Republic. The army of South Ossetia has passed a glorious path, marked by heroic deeds and valiant wars. We will always remember the feat of the defenders who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of the Motherland. Let us remember the feat of the Ossetian volunteer soldiers, who were among the first to come to the aid of the Abkhazian people,” he said.
The Defense Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu sent a congratulatory address to the Ministry of Defense.
