Penza, 15 February 2016. PenzaNews. The Penza region governor Ivan Belozertsev has addressed a congratulation to internationalist soldiers, dedicated to the 27th anniversary of the end of the Soviet-Afghan War.

© PenzaNewsBuy the photo

“February 15 in our country is the Russian Internationalist Soldiers Day, day of remembrance for the Russians who served abroad. True to their oath, Penza soldiers faithfully performed their internationalist duty, followed all orders of the command in an exemplary manner. Your feats of valor has been justly rewarded with orders and medals. I am deeply grateful to the parents who brought up the worthy citizens of our glorious Russia,” says the address by the head of the region.

The immortal feats of internationalist soldiers will forever remain examples of unyielding bravery, valor and heroism, Ivan Belozertsev stressed.

“Many of you achieved success in the times of peace as well: in industry, business and elsewhere, you created tightly-knit families, you school the children who I believe will grow up to be patriots of Russia, just like their famed fathers. I wish you strong health, prosperity, happiness, further fruitful deeds for the sake of the Fatherland,” the governor wished.

Russian Internationalist Soldiers Day (Day of Rememberance of Russians Who Served Abroad) is celebrated annually on February 15.

The memorable date is dedicated not only to the veterans of the Soviet-Afghan War. According to historians, after the Second World War, 1.5 million Russian soldiers took part in over 30 military conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Syria, Mozambique, Angola and more. 25 thousand of them lost their lives in battle.

The Russian soldiers quenched the “hotspot” conflicts in former Soviet states, worked in peacekeeping forces in Yugoslavia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Since 30 September 2015, soldiers of the Russian Airspace Force are taking part in the counter-terrorism operation in Syria on invitation from President Bashar Assad.