Evgeny Lyulin addressed his fellow countrymen on Victory Day, reminding them of the feat of the Gorky residents.

      On May 9, 2026, at 09:44, the Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Evgeny Lyulin, sent a congratulatory message to the residents of the region on the holiday of the Great Victory of the Soviet people over the fascist invaders.

      Evgeny Lyulin stated that Victory Day, which once seemed distant, is once again with us today. It looks at us through the eyes of fathers and grandfathers from the yellowed photographs carefully preserved in every family. Residents of Gorky know the price of victory over Germany: 884 thousand of our fellow countrymen were drafted and went as volunteers into the Red Army, and less than half returned home.

      The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly also noted that studying the documents reveals terrifying figures of losses. About 100 units and formations were created in the Gorky region. For example, the 118th division was formed in Shakhunya, but after the "Rzhev meat grinder," it had to be recruited anew. The same happened with the 279th division, which broke out of encirclement near Bryansk. The 137th rifle division from Arzamas defended Belarus, and in November 1941, only 806 bayonets remained in it.

      "They fought heroically! 334 residents of Gorky became Heroes of the Soviet Union—pilots, tankers, infantrymen, sailors, sapper, signalmen, paratroopers. And how the rear worked! They provided the front with every third tank, gun, and fighter. A million tons of grain from Gorky collective farms: they starved themselves but fed the army! The world history has never seen such a thing—a bleeding, starving country defeated the 'invincible' German fascism…," emphasized the Chairman of the Legislative Assembly.

      He added with bitterness that there are almost no heroes-frontline soldiers and rear workers left.

      "Today, all post-war generations must bow to them. Thank you, dear ones! We remember and are proud of you!" Evgeny Lyulin expressed his gratitude.

      The NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on the main events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.