Yevkurov comments on preparations for 70th Anniversary of Great Victory

Ingush Leader Yunus-Bek Yevkurov has congratulated veterans on the 70th Anniversary of Great Victory in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza. In his words, the government must put special efforts into organizing the celebrations in light of the current political conjuncture. The North Caucasus is preparing for the anniversary, just as European leaders and the US are. Ingushetia makes 3-4 broadcasts on the national television and in other media, lectures are read in schools and other education centers. Buildings, streets and parks are being decorated.

The St. George Ribbon campaign has been held, the Victory Banner raised on the highest peaks of Ingush mountains. One banner was raised on the Tower of Consent at a height of 113m. Awards were given to veterans of the Great Patriotic War, 8 veterans will receive medals on the eve of May 9.

Ingushetia will hold military parades in Magas and Nazran. Festive events will take place in Malgobek. The population of Ingushetia was 96,000 people before WWII. 21,000 of them went to the frontlines, about 4,700 of them were volunteers, 6,500 of them died.

Yevkurov claims that the last defender of the Brest Fortress was a native of Ingushetia named Umat Barkhanoyev. 57 Ingushetians became Heroes of the Soviet Union.