In Sevastopol, the anniversary of the beginning of the Russian Spring was celebrated with a rally of 10 thousand people
Sevastopol, February 23 (PolitNavigator, Alexander Kononov) – In Sevastopol, Defender of the Fatherland Day and the anniversary of the beginning of the Russian Spring were celebrated with a 10-strong rally, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
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People began to gather in the central square of the city in the morning, where videos about the events of the Russian Spring, as well as mass sports events, were shown on a large screen. Anyone could visit the warships of the Black Sea Fleet stationed at the Sea Terminal and at the Mine Wall, and at the same time look at samples of the latest military equipment displayed on the square.
In the afternoon, a ceremonial formation of military units and public organizations that took part in the events of the Russian Spring began in Catherine the Great Square.
Following this, they moved in a long column to Nakhimov Square. The procession was led by the Sevastopol “Berkut”, followed by self-defense forces, Cossacks, “Russian Bloc” and others. The townspeople saw them off with applause, chanting “Thank you!” and “Well done!” A little earlier, the “Night Wolves” passed by in an organized motorized convoy.
After the ceremonial laying of wreaths and flowers at the memorial to the Defenders of the City by the leadership of Sevastopol and the participants of the Russian Spring, the events moved to Nakhimov Square, where Presidential Envoy Oleg Belaventsev congratulated Sevastopol residents on the holiday from the big screen.
Then those who, at the head of their organizations a year ago, convened a rally that served as the beginning of the return of Crimea to Russia came onto the city stage. In his address, Sevastopol Governor Sergei Menyailo thanked all Sevastopol residents for “defending their city, defending Russia” a year ago.
“The Ukrainian authorities turned a blind eye to the holiday on February 23, but the city always celebrated it. The lives of 195 thousand Sevastopol residents are connected with the defense of the Fatherland. This is the second holiday after May 9th. A year ago, regardless of military rank, all Sevastopol residents stood up to defend the city,” the governor said.
The hero of the Russian Spring himself, Alexey Chaly, emphasizing that he joins the words of the “previous speaker,” proposed, “taking into account the events that happened a year ago,” to deprive men of the privilege of the military, and after them, all men to be considered defenders of the Fatherland. This right, he said, is now enjoyed by all residents of Sevastopol, “regardless of gender, nationality, age and religion.”
“I would like to pluck up courage and congratulate you, the residents of Sevastopol, on Defender of the Fatherland Day, to all of you for remaining faithful to the Motherland, the city, defending your language and history. Well, I think now we’re in Russia forever,” Chaly said.
The commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Alexander Vitko, also addressed words of congratulations not only to the military, but also to all citizens, thanking them for the fact that “a year ago we woke up and said “Enough!”
“Stop pushing us into this democracy, which ends in the slavery of peoples. Stop imposing on us values that we are ashamed to talk about even in our families. And we began to defend our Russian values, our Russian state,” Vitko said, while assuring that the Crimean military group “is capable of solving any problems to cover the south of Russia.”
“There is new technology, there are new weapons. It is arriving now in these minutes and will continue to do so in the coming years, increasing our potential,” the admiral emphasized.
The leader of the Night Wolves, the Surgeon, thanked Sevastopol and its residents for changing its destiny and for “teaching Russia to love the Motherland.” After the rally, a concert by the Black Sea Fleet Song and Dance Ensemble took place, and at its conclusion a festive fireworks display was given.
English version :: Read in English In Sevastopol, the anniversary of the beginning of the Russian Spring was marked with a 10-strong rally.