More than 140 residents of Nizhny Novgorod received letters of appreciation for assisting fighters in the Special Military Operation.

      06 November 2025 11:32 Society

      Deputy Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Alexander Pavlov presented letters of appreciation from the regional government to 141 Nizhny Novgorod residents for their help to the fighters of the special military operation (SVO). The seventh award ceremony for volunteers of the special military operation "With SVO in Our Hearts" took place on November 5 at the House of National Unity. Residents, representatives of organizations and enterprises from across the region were recognized for their active participation in providing humanitarian aid to SVO servicemen and their families.

      "On November 4 we celebrated National Unity Day. In recent years this holiday has become even more significant for us. During the special operation we all keenly realized how important it is to be united. And today you, gathered in this hall, embody national unity by helping the servicemen, as our great ancestors said, 'Together for one!' Each of you thinks of the people who defend the interests of our state on the line of combat contact. Thank you for your help and your faith in victory!" Alexander Pavlov addressed the volunteers.

      The solemn award ceremony was organized by the government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and the House of National Unity.

      "There is a huge number of people in the Nizhny Novgorod Region who provide humanitarian aid to our fighters and civilians. Nearly a thousand Nizhny Novgorod residents have already received thanks within the 'With SVO in Our Hearts' ceremony — these are volunteers, representatives of volunteer movements, various organizations, institutions, enterprises and the business community. They are people of various ages and professions, each with their own story. But they are all united by a sincere desire to support our defenders. And volunteers do this not for awards or recognition, but truly by the call of their hearts. Each one brings victory closer, which will surely be ours!" said the head of the House of National Unity, Roman Koshelev.

      Among those awarded was Natalya Kukoleva, head of the Bolsheandosovsky Territorial Department of the Administration of the Pilninsky Municipal District. Together with the residents of her village she organized a volunteer team for weaving camouflage nets.

      "Our nets are delivered all along the front. We receive thanks from the guys. Once we received a video message from a fighter, a fellow countryman. He happened to see the inscription 'Pilninsky District' on a box and said it felt like he had been home, that inscription warmed his soul. We also send medicines, food and much more. We will continue to support our guys; we are not going to give up — only forward and not a step back!" Natalya Kukoleva shared.

      Representatives of the public organization "Nizhny Novgorod Regional Tourist Club" began their volunteer activities two years ago to help their instructor who was on the SVO. Later, joining forces with schools, the club began regularly sending humanitarian shipments in response to servicemen's requests.

      "We send what fighters need daily in the field, and the children write letters. Our whole club — instructors and tourists — actively participates in this. Volunteering has become an integral part of our lives. It is important that schoolchildren also understand the significance of their help. It was pleasant to receive a letter of thanks — it is an even greater incentive for us to continue supporting our defenders," said the club's instructor-trainer Grigory Nesterov.

      During the ceremony the work of the coordination center for supporting servicemen and their families, operating at the House of National Unity, was also noted. Since the start of the SVO the coordination center and the regional government have jointly formed and sent to the SVO zone more than 770 humanitarian convoys weighing a total of 4,900 tons and over 280 vehicles.

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