In his message of congratulations, Mr Putin said that “this holiday symbolises the determined spirit and heroism of the South Ossetian people, who defended the independence they proclaimed a quarter of a century ago and stood up for their lawful right to a free and peaceful life.”
The President assessed highly the active development in the alliance relations that Russia and South Ossetia have established, based on the traditions of mutual solidarity and good-neighbourliness that have bound the two peoples for many centuries.
Mr Putin reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to continue providing South Ossetia with assistance in resolving socioeconomic issues and guaranteeing its national security.