Uzbek 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 world leaders, 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 Berdimuhamedow, Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and others.
The victory in World War II was achieved through the courage and self-sacrifice of millions. Uzbekistan’s multi-ethnic population made a significant contribution to this momentous achievement.
At the war’s outset, Uzbekistan’s population exceeded 6 million. Approximately two million Uzbeks served in the armed forces, with over 538,000 losing their lives and over 158,000 going missing in action.
Over 214,000 Uzbek soldiers and officers received military awards for their bravery. 301 Uzbeks were awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union, and 70 were awarded the Order of Glory.
The Uzbek people’s labor during the war was equally crucial. Uzbekistan provided essential supplies to the front, including food, uniforms, medical supplies, and weapons. Over 170 evacuated factories were relocated to Uzbekistan, ensuring the continued operation of the defense industry.
Showing remarkable compassion, Uzbekistan welcomed over 1.5 million evacuees from the frontlines, including more than 250,000 orphaned children.
The Uzbek people’s wartime contributions are widely recognized internationally. Uzbekistan actively commemorates the memory of its war heroes and home-front workers, with a strong focus on supporting veterans. The impressive Victory Park memorial complex in Tashkent stands as a testament to this.
Following the parade, President Mirziyoyev, accompanied by President Putin and other heads of state, laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexander Garden.
This memorial, dedicated to the millions of soldiers, including Uzbek sons, who displayed unparalleled courage and sacrificed their lives for victory, symbolizes the resilience, heroism, and selfless dedication of those who defended their homeland.
The ceremony concluded with a moment of silence and a ceremonial march by the honor guard and military orchestra.