Tatarstan joined the All-Russian campaign "We Keep the Flame of Victory"

      As part of the project by "United Russia" and "Gazprom" ahead of Victory Day, the Eternal Flame was lit at military memorials in 12 cities. Among the regions where the Eternal Flame was lit are Tver, Belgorod, Ulyanovsk, Tyumen, Novgorod, and Omsk regions, the republics of Dagestan, Tatarstan, and Chuvashia, as well as Krasnodar, Perm, and Stavropol Krais. The main site became the "Alley of Memory" memorial in the city of Torzhok, Tver region – here the flame had been burning on bottled gas for over 25 years. A portion of the flame was delivered from the Obelisk of Victory in Tver. The solemn event was attended by the Chairman of "United Russia," Dmitry Medvedev, the Secretary of the General Council of the party, Vladimir Yakushev, and the General Director of "Gazprom Mezhregiongaz," Sergey Gustov. "On the eve of the main state holiday – Victory Day – we light the Eternal Flame at the monuments to the Heroes of the Great Patriotic War. This is truly a sacred symbol of the immortality of our Heroes in the memory of the people. A tribute of our immense gratitude to those who defended and stood up for our Motherland during the years of the most severe trials. They cleansed it of fascism and preserved the right of new generations to a happy, prosperous, and dignified life. A low bow to the Heroes. We look up to them," said Dmitry Medvedev. He also noted that under the project "United Russia" and "Gazprom," "We Preserve the Flame of Victory," gas has been supplied to 563 memorial complexes. By the order of the Head of State, since 2022, it has been supplied to memorials with the Eternal Flame free of charge. The perpetuation of the memory of the Heroes, care for veterans, and support for their families today are part of the personal responsibility of every citizen of the country – such work is done not for dates, but constantly – by the call of the heart, due to personal convictions, noted Dmitry Medvedev. Furthermore, across Russia, the improvement of memorials and places associated with the feats of soldiers and workers of the rear is underway, added the Chairman of "United Russia." Last year alone, more than 25,000 such events took place. The lighting of the Eternal Flame in different cities of the country confirms the continuity of generations. Torzhok played a significant role during the terrible and bloody Rzhev operation in wartime, he emphasized. What happened here during the Great Patriotic War continues in today's life, expressed confidence Dmitry Medvedev. "We are united in serving the Fatherland. We are faithful to our duty, historical truth, and justice. Victory will be ours!" The unity of the front and rear, the fusion of courage, labor, and faith have always been the main traits of our nation's character, our people. Today, by lighting the Eternal Flame in different cities of our country, we once again confirm the continuity of generations, the unbreakable connection between those who served the Motherland then and our current Heroes. May this Eternal Flame become a symbol of our sacred memory. We are united in serving our Fatherland. We will be faithful to our duty, historical truth, and justice. Victory will be ours!" concluded the party chairman. For his part, the Secretary of the General Council of the party, Vladimir Yakushev, noted that the action "United Russia" and "Gazprom," "We Preserve the Flame of Victory," symbolizes the connection of generations. "This action symbolizes our memory of that Great Victory. And, of course, when we show such a connection between participants of the Great Patriotic War and young people who today preserve this memory and engage in patriotic education, it precisely symbolizes the interconnection of generations. In addition, by the order of the President of Russia, a large-scale program of social gasification is being implemented. Gas is coming to a huge number of households across Russia. This is a completely different quality of life. People openly talk about it. Today we visited the family living here in Torzhok and saw that they are satisfied with what they have received. The program is long-term and will continue in the new People's Program of "United Russia," he emphasized. In Tatarstan, the Eternal Flame was lit in the Victory Park of the village of Osinovo. "With each passing day, we move further and further away from those glorious, tragic times when the Soviet people, at the cost of incredible losses and efforts, defeated fascism. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer veterans remain, not only those who directly participated in combat actions but also those who worked in the rear, who simply survived those difficult times. Therefore, it is very important to preserve the memory of future generations about the hard work that freedom and victory were achieved," noted Yuri Kamaltynov, Deputy Secretary of the regional branch of "United Russia," Deputy Chairman of the State Council, and leader of the "United Russia" faction. He shared that the project within the patriotic initiative "We Preserve the Flame of Victory," implemented by "United Russia" and "Gazprom," currently has special significance. "The new generation may not even know what the flame coming from the ground, from this star, can mean. And it is very important that such monuments appear as much as possible on the territory of our country. People will come here, bring their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and will tell about those who gave their lives for the freedom of our country, for peace, for our happiness," shared Yuri Kamaltynov. Kamaltynov added that significant work is being done in Tatarstan to preserve memorials and monuments dedicated to the Heroes of the Great Patriotic War. "United Russia" has a party project "Historical Memory," in addition, practically in all municipal districts, local party branches have programs. A meeting of the organizing committee to prepare for the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War will take place soon, and one of the most serious directions of its work is the restoration, preservation, and improvement of places associated with the memory of the fallen," he clarified. The solemn ceremony of lighting the flame was attended by the regional coordinator of the party project "Choose Your Own," the first deputy minister of industry and trade of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rodion Karpov, a deputy of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan, the general director of "Gazprom Transgaz Kazan," Rustem Usmanov, a deputy of the State Council, the general director of "Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Kazan," Aidar Tagirov, the head of the Executive Committee of the Tatarstan regional branch of "United Russia," Marat Samigullin, the head of the Executive Committee of the Zelenodolsk district, Zul'fat Khabibullin, as well as participants of the special military operation, activists of "United Russia" and the Young Guard, schoolchildren, and veterans of the Great Patriotic War. Rustem Usmanov noted the coordinated work of gas workers and the administration of the Zelenodolsk district in preparing the memorial for gas supply. "We integrated the burner into our networks. Safely, reliably, and uninterruptedly, this Eternal Flame will be supplied with natural gas. It will truly be eternal," Usmanov stated. The Eternal Flame in Osinovo became the 63rd memorial complex in Tatarstan, where natural gas has been connected free of charge, operating in "eternal" flame mode. "Any application for connecting memorial complexes to gas that comes from municipalities will be considered and unconditionally fulfilled," he stated. Rustem Usmanov shared that both of his grandfathers participated in the Great Patriotic War, one of whom died. "I pass this family pain, this memory to my children. I believe that they will pass it to their children, and the connection of generations will not be broken. The main thing is to remember these heroic events. As long as memory is alive – our country is great," he noted. Previously, in small settlements, gas at Eternal Flames was bottled and was only lit on holidays. Now they have the opportunity to maintain the Eternal Flame so that it burns constantly and reminds of the feats during the Great Patriotic War not only on Victory Days, shared the general director of "Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Kazan," Aidar Tagirov. "Together with our colleagues from "Gazprom Transgaz Kazan," we are preparing these Eternal Flames, their technical maintenance, so that everything works continuously and safely. The feature of any Eternal Flame burner is its wind protection, meaning that in any weather conditions, the flame will burn safely," he shared. One of the participants in lighting the Eternal Flame was a resident of the Zelenodolsk district, veteran of the special military operation Igor Nesterov. After the announcement of the beginning of the special operation, he voluntarily went to the front with his friends, served in the "Center" grouping. He was seriously wounded in one of the battles. Now the man is engaged in military-patriotic education of the younger generation. He shared that the symbol of the Eternal Flame is very significant for him. "If we do not remember the history of our state, do not remember the feats of our fathers and grandfathers, then we will not be ready to defend our Fatherland in the future. The symbolism of the Eternal Flame teaches us to respect and love our country," he stated. The veteran also talked about how his native district has changed in recent years