Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Havana, May 8. - The unveiling of a commemorative plaque for the victory of the Red Army in Stalingrad took place today, in the Park of 23 and Paseo in the capital's Vedado, as part of the activities to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism and the 65th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Russia.
Víktor Koronelli, ambassador of the Russian Federation in Cuba, expressed that the event has great meaning for Russians, since it is held in honor of one of the bloodiest but decisive battles that the Eurasian country faced in the war.
The chosen location provides visibility to the events, as the plaque contains a brief but clear description of what happened at Stalingrad more than 80 years ago, Koronelli noted.
Sergei Oboznov, counselor of the Russian Embassy, read the words of Ala Kalinina, rector of the Volgograd State University, who commented on the role that Cuba played in the fight for Russian liberation, for its example, being the first Latin American country whose marine force managed to sink a German submarine.
He also highlighted the collaboration of Cubans who lost their lives during the Great Patriotic War.
To conclude, five Ixora plants were planted by the directors present, behind the plaque, as a symbol of friendship and continued relationship between Cuba and Russia.
The event was attended by Fernando González Llort, president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples; Liliana Malena Díaz Campa, president of the Municipal Assembly of People's Power of Revolution Square; Inna Chetiy, representative of Rossotrudnichestvo in Cuba; as well as representatives of the military attaché office and diplomats from the Russian Embassy.
On February 2, 1943, the Red Army of the Soviet Union achieved a decisive victory over the forces of Nazi Germany in the city of Stalingrad, after more than five months of intense fighting that left millions of casualties among soldiers and civilians, marking the turning point in the Nazi invasion of Russian territory.
The Soviet victory not only stopped the Nazi advance in the east, but also promoted the counteroffensive that would culminate in the liberation of Europe and the definitive defeat of fascism in May 1945. (Text and Photo: Cubasí)
