May 9 is a truly meaningful day for the Russian people.

On May 9 1945, the Red Army of the former Soviet Union annihilated Nazi Germany, which had plunged all humankind into a melting pot of world war, and honorably defended national security and dignity.

The war against fascist Germany, or the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet people, was a war of justice against aggressors, as well as a bloody fight for global peace and the future of mankind.

Many Soviet soldiers and people fully displayed noble patriotism, sacrificing their lives at many fierce battles during the war including the battles of Stalingrad and Leningrad.

Their victory in the war made a great contribution to rescuing many European countries from the invasion by Nazi Germany and encouraging the world’s democratic forces in the liberation struggle against fascism.

The heroic feats and patriotic spirit the Soviet army and people displayed during the war are still carried on generation after generation.

The Russian government puts a great deal of effort into inheriting the tradition of victory in the Great Patriotic War.

While giving preferential treatment to war veterans, it pays primary attention to education in patriotism to ensure younger generations always remember how much blood their predecessors shed and how many sacrifices they made for the victory in the war.

Colourful events take place in Moscow and other parts of the country to celebrate the day every year.

This year, too, military parades were held at Red Square of Moscow and in Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg, Sevastopol, Rostov-on-Don and other major cities of Russia to mark the 77th V-day.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a speech delivered at Red Square that the spirit of national defence displayed at the time when the destiny of the country was determined will remain sacred forever.

We will never abandon patriotism, faith, traditional values, customs of the ancestors and feeling of respect for all peoples and cultures, but the West is scheming to remove such values, he noted.

It underlay all its manoeuvres to incite hatred for Russia while fabricating the history of World War II, insult the victims and nullify the bravery of the people who won victory in spite of all hardships, he said.

The people who defeated Nazism in the war showed an immortal example of heroism and we will always follow the examples of the generation of victors, he stressed.

That day, a wreath-laying ceremony also took place in front of the Eternal Flame of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin walls, with President Putin, war veterans and cadets of Suvorov Military School in attendance.

Russia holds a variety of events to commemorate V-day every year in order to educate its people and soldiers in patriotism and continue to add brilliance to the history of war victory.

It also directs effort to preserving the feats of the Soviet army which played a significant role in the Second World War.

It is the will of the Russian government and people that the spirit of heroes who devoted their lives to the country can never be dampened or trampled upon but should be inherited intact through generations.

Extending warm greetings to the friendly Russia people on the occasion of V-day, the Korean people wish Russia greater successes in its efforts to add brilliance to the history of war victory and defend its sovereignty and dignity.