Lukashenko: Belarus owes its independence to generation of victors

Belarus’ independence was established by the heroism of the generation of victors who sacrificed their lives to liberate our country, President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has said at a parade of the Minsk garrison on Independence Day of Belarus.
“Each nation has momentous days and events that become a starting point for a new period of their history, cause spiritual uplift and unite all the citizens. The liberation of Minsk, the capital of our Motherland, from the Nazi invaders is such a day for Belarus. It was chosen by Belarusians as their Independence Day. This day embodies two greatest values – freedom and independence. Freedom cannot be gained at a scratch of a pen. Independence of Belarus is based on the achievements of the generation of victors, those who sacrificed all they had – their lives – to bring the long-awaited freedom to our land.
Belarus was the one who bore the brunt of the war. The heroic resistance of our people started at the walls of the Brest Fortress at the very first moments of the war and went on until the complete expulsion of the enemy from our Motherland. Of all the republics of the USSR and members of the Anti-German Coalition, Belarus was hit the hardest by the war. Today we pay tribute to all those who contributed to our common victory over the Nazi, to liberation of our Motherland and the entire world from the enslavers,” Alexander Lukashenko has said.