President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan attended the Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9th, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The invitation was extended by President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, as reported by the Uzbekistani Presidential press service here.
The Red Square parade included numerous world leaders, among them 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 sacrifice of millions. Uzbekistan’s multinational population played a significant role in this momentous achievement.
With a pre-war population exceeding six million, Uzbekistan sent approximately two million citizens to the front. Over 538,000 perished in combat, and more than 158,000 remain missing. Over 214,000 Uzbek soldiers and officers received military decorations for bravery, including 301 who were awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union, and 70 who became full Knights of the Order of Glory.
The Uzbek people’s contribution extended beyond military service. Uzbekistan provided crucial support to the front, supplying food, uniforms, medical supplies, weapons, and other essential resources. Over 170 evacuated factories were established within Uzbekistan, ensuring the continued operation of the defense industry.
Demonstrating remarkable humanitarianism, Uzbekistan welcomed over 1.5 million evacuees from frontline territories, including more than 250,000 orphaned children.
The Uzbek people’s wartime sacrifices are widely recognized internationally. Uzbekistan actively commemorates its war heroes and home-front workers, providing significant social support to veterans. A grand memorial complex, Victory Park, has been established in Tashkent.
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, honoring millions of fallen soldiers, including Uzbek sons, stands as a symbol of their unwavering courage and sacrifice.
The ceremony concluded with a moment of silence and a solemn march by the honor guard and military orchestra.