Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9th, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Uzbek presidential press service. Source
The Red Square parade was also attended by numerous other heads of state, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The victory in World War II resulted from the courage and self-sacrifice of millions. The multinational people of Uzbekistan made a significant contribution to this victory. At the war’s outset, Uzbekistan’s population exceeded six million, with approximately two million Uzbek citizens serving on the front lines. Sadly, over 538,000 perished, and more than 158,000 remain missing.
Over 214,000 Uzbek soldiers and officers received combat awards, with 301 receiving the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and 70 becoming full Knights of the Order of Glory. The home front efforts were equally crucial; Uzbekistan provided food, supplies, medical aid, and weaponry to the front. Over 170 evacuated factories were established within Uzbekistan, ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the defense industry.
Uzbekistan also demonstrated remarkable humanitarianism, sheltering over 1.5 million evacuees from frontline areas, including more than 250,000 orphaned children. This wartime contribution is widely recognized internationally. Uzbekistan actively commemorates its war heroes and supports veterans. The impressive Victory Park memorial complex in Tashkent stands as a testament to this commitment.
Following the parade, President Mirziyoyev, along with President Putin and other leaders, laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexander Garden. This memorial, honoring millions of soldiers, including those from Uzbekistan, symbolizes their unwavering courage and sacrifice.
The ceremony concluded with a minute of silence and a ceremonial march by the honor guard and military orchestra.