Astana, May 7 (EFE).- Kazakhstan held a military parade Wednesday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, coinciding with the country’s Defender of the Fatherland Day.
The parade, presided over by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and attended by Vietnamese leader To Lam as a guest of honor, took place in Independence Square in the capital of the Central Asian former Soviet republic.
Kazakhstan Military Parade Highlights Historical Truth and Sacrifice
“Today, when aggression and hatred have penetrated global politics, it is essential to convey the full truth about the war to all citizens of our state,” Tokayev said in his address.
The president emphasized that “without truth, it is impossible to understand the value of peace” and warned, “it is unacceptable to distort the historical truth about the war and the Great Victory.“
Tokayev noted that “one in every four residents of the republic went to the front. Nine out of ten bullets fired at the enemy were produced in Kazakhstan. More than 220 factories and plants were evacuated to Kazakhstan,” emphasizing the scale of the country’s contribution to the war effort.
He is expected to attend the May 9 military parade marking the Victory’s 80th anniversary in Moscow’s Red Square.
Kazakhstan Military Parade Pays Tribute to Soviet-Era Heroism
The head of state noted that more than 1.2 million Kazakhs were called to serve in the Soviet Army, and half of them lost their lives in pursuit of victory.
“More than 500 Kazakhs were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union… The younger generation must learn about their feats,” he added.
Kazakhstan Military Parade Signals Commitment to Modern Defense
Tokayev also announced that Kazakhstan has decided to modernize its Armed Forces and strengthen the country’s military capabilities.
“Increasing the nation’s defense capacity is our top priority,” he stressed.
According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defense, more than 4,000 members of the armed forces, security officers, and emergency services personnel took part in the parade, along with a mechanized column and 66 aircraft of various types.
It was the first military parade held in the country in eight years. EFE