Lukashenko lays wreath at Victory Monument in Minsk

In Minsk the head of state laid a wreath at the Victory Monument. Aleksandr Lukashenko was accompanied by his three sons. Personally taking part in the wreath-laying ceremony is an annual tradition for the president.

Wreaths and flowers were also laid at the monument by top officials of central government agencies, the parliament, the judge corps, defense, security, and law enforcement agencies, representatives of public associations, the diplomatic corps, veterans, and the clergy.

Aleksandr Lukashenko and all those present in Pobedy Square held a minute of silence to honor the memory of the fallen heroes.

During the ceremony upon the president's instruction Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin presented the stance of the people in uniform on the significance of the Great Victory. Viktor Khrenin also described the military and political situation around Belarus.

The defense minister said: “Every year we come to this sacred place, to the majestic monument crowned with an Order of the Victory. This symbol of historical memory towers above the hero city of Minsk and reminds us of the heroic deed that is unmatched in the history of mankind. The heroic deed unites millions of people of Europe and Asia today – all those, who have retained the gene of courage and bravery of the ancestors. We, Belarusians are proud of every warrior of ours – from common soldiers to generals, who stood together with brotherly nations to endure the assault of Nazi Germany and destroyed the army that had been mobilized by the entire Western Europe and had been armed to the teeth thanks to money of world moguls.”

The official stressed that a global military confrontation had been unleashed between the Western civilization and the Eastern Slavonic one. Battles are taking place on all the fronts. A massive war by proxy is in progress, with the West using Ukrainians to secure its own interests and ensure the ability to continue enforcing its order upon the world.

“Our army is ready to repulse anyone, who tries to violate the sacred borders of the Belarusian state. We will do everything so that no one would dare tell Belarusians how they should live in their own land,” Viktor Khrenin assured.

The ceremony ended with Belarus' state anthem and a solemn march of the composite guard of honor company and the orchestra of the Minsk garrison.