The message of greetings reads, in part:
“This historic event was a breaking point on the way to our Great Victory, which was achieved by heroic deeds and cohesion of all the nations of the Soviet Union, formerly our common Motherland.
The Ukrainian capital was liberated at high cost. Thousands of men and women died heroic deaths fighting against Nazi invaders and their henchmen. The Red Army soldiers’ heroism and bravery, their will to win and firmness will stay forever in the memory of our posterity. Irresponsible politicians, trying to drive a wedge between our nations and distort our common history, will not erase these memories.
I am confident that our centuries-long friendship, seasoned in hard trials, will continue to firmly unite our nations.”
Kiev had been occupied by the Nazis for over two years. In 1943, troops of the Red Army’s First Ukrainian Front launched an offensive, crushing the enemy and gaining control of the city on November 6.