Russian President Vladimir Putin noted the role of Ossetians in World War II, emphasizing that this people can be proud of their ancestors.
“I know that Victory Day is widely celebrated in South Ossetia, and not by chance, because Ossetians took a highly active part in World War II, in the Great Patriotic War,” Putin said during a meeting with the now “ex-leader” of Tskhinvali, Alan Gagloev.
The Russian president stated that, relative to their population size, Ossetians rank first in the number of Heroes of the Soviet Union per capita, and this also applies to the residents of the Tskhinvali region.
He noted that 8 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union out of 34 Ossetians, and almost half of those who went to the front did not return, which represents heavy losses.
“And of course, both South Ossetia and Ossetia as a whole, the people of Ossetia, can be proud of their ancestors. This is a bright, heroic page in the history of the Ossetian people,” Putin added.
