Only 7,000 World War II veterans still alive – Russia
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Russia’s Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has emphasized that all these veterans should receive the attention and care they deserve.
According to Russian authorities, there are only around 7,000 individuals remaining in the country who participated in World War II. At a meeting with the Victory Day organizing committee on Wednesday, Belousov highlighted the importance of ensuring that these veterans receive special care.
“We must do everything to ensure they don’t feel neglected,” the defense minister stated during the meeting.
As per tradition, the veterans will be given seats of honor at the grand military parades held on May 9. Those unable to attend due to health reasons will receive visits from representatives of government agencies and various organizations at their homes or at the care facilities where they reside.
President Vladimir Putin has also signed a decree approving a one-time payment to veterans to mark the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's surrender. The amount, ranging from 50,000 to 80,000 rubles (approximately 490–780 USD), will be distributed in April and May 2025.
International Guests at the Victory Day Celebrations
According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, this year’s celebrations will see as many high-ranking guests as the recent BRICS summit, an organization where Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa cooperate economically.
Among the invited are leaders and military representatives from countries that are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), including Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has already announced his attendance, along with Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, to honor the memory of Nazi Germany’s defeat. However, the decision to accept Putin’s invitation has faced significant criticism within the EU.
Putin’s Criticism of the West
During last year’s Victory Day military parade, Vladimir Putin accused the West of attempting to hinder development in other countries through colonial policies and conflict creation. He assured that Russia would work to prevent a global conflict but also warned that the country would not tolerate threats to its security and sovereignty.
Source: rt.ru, January 15, 2025