Published on: 2026-05-10
Source: Government of the Russian Federation –
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Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko congratulated Russians on Victory Day and reminded them of the important role of Soviet youth, teachers, professors, scientists, and athletes during the Great Patriotic War years. The Vice Premier also noted the projects being implemented in Russia to preserve the memory of the feat.
In congratulating the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin notes that on this day we pay tribute and respect to our fathers and grandfathers who fought shoulder to shoulder on the front lines and worked in the rear. Particular significance is attached to the contribution of Soviet teachers, instructors, students, and scientists to the Victory. Despite difficult times, education in the country continued. Many were engaged not only in their main work — education and science, but also combined it with work in the fields and enterprises, agitation activities,” Dmitry Chernyshenko noted.
According to historians’ estimates, more than 115 thousand teachers went to the front, and 86 thousand were awarded orders and medals for combat merits.
The years of the Great Patriotic War were marked by a series of scientific developments and discoveries. Among them was the Soviet antibiotic — gramicidin S, the mechanism for protecting ships from magnetic mines, the improvement of the legendary “Katyusha”, assistance in creating the Road of Life across Lake Ladoga, and much more. Universities continued to assist even after the war ended: for example, in the preparation and conduct of the Nuremberg Trials, teachers and graduates of the Moscow State Linguistic University provided translation services for the USSR.
The younger generation actively participated in the life of the country and society.
“Only in the RSFSR, more than 2 million Timurites selflessly helped the families of Red Army soldiers, wards of orphanages, and the elderly. Today, special attention is given in our country to the development of volunteerism — instruments of the national project ‘Youth and Children’ are aimed at this. An important contribution to the preservation of historical memory and assistance to veterans is made by the ‘Volunteers of Victory’ movement. This year, more than 200 thousand of its volunteers will help organize commemorative events dedicated to Victory Day, both in Russia and abroad,” reported Dmitry Chernyshenko.
From April 22 across all of Russia and more than 60 countries around the world, the “St. George Ribbon” campaign is taking place. A total of over 8 thousand ribbon distribution sites are planned, which can be found on the interactive map on the website volunteerpobedy.rf. Throughout the country, volunteers congratulate frontline soldiers, provide them with everyday assistance, and hold concerts and parades near their homes. It is planned that within the framework of the “International Subbotnik” campaign, by the end of this year, more than 30 thousand memorial sites worldwide will be put in order.
A whole series of projects dedicated to Victory Day is implemented by the Movement First. Among them are the festival of patriotic theatrical performances “Classics of Victory. Time of Heroes”, the All-Russian military-patriotic game “Zarnitsa 2.0”, and the action “Windows of Victory”.
Patriotic events are also held by Russian universities and scientific organizations. Patriotic routes are also being developed in Russia: on the national tourism portal “Puteshestvuem.RF” there are already more than 50.
“On Victory Day, it is important to remember and honor the feats of Soviet athletes. About 7,000 participated in the Great Patriotic War. They demonstrated examples of remarkable endurance and courage on the front lines, fought in partisan detachments. Even during the difficult war years, athletes set new records in nationwide competitions and strengthened faith in victory,” emphasized Dmitry Chernyshenko.
The “thousanders” movement — instructors who, in peacetime, achieved significant sports achievements, but at the beginning of the war began to pass on their knowledge and train thousands of fighters for the front — gained wide recognition. For example, Soviet skier Maria Minina trained over 3,000 fighters.
Ski detachments formed from athletes conducted raids behind enemy lines, destroying enemy garrisons.
Alpine squads under the leadership of mountaineering masters Alexander Gusev and Nikolai Gusak helped to liberate the summit of Elbrus from fascist flags.
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