Online Reporter
Ambassador Nikolai Krasilnikov
Russia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe
EVERY year, on February 23, Russia marks its national holiday, the Defender of the Fatherland Day.
It is always celebrated throughout Russia, in all families and communities, in every city, town and village because each man is a Defender of the Fatherland. But of course, the special tribute Russia pays is to those who wear the uniform, be they career officers, conscripts, or those on contracts.
Defending and serving the fatherland has always been and remains a sacred cause for us. We are proud of our army, air force, navy and other troops for their unwavering, strong character forged in the heat of battle, for maintaining the legacy of great commanders and many generations of Russian soldiers.
This year, again, we celebrate Defender of the Fatherland Day while the special military operation in Ukraine is going on. We are humbled by the fortitude and self-sacrifice revealed by military personnel engaged in the frontline. They fight for truth and justice, they show courage for the sake of Russia, in defence of our culture, language, and religion, which the Russians in Ukraine have been denied for many years by the illegitimate regime.
Russia highly appreciates the desire of our friends worldwide to contribute to a politico-diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian crisis. Our BRICS partners, almost all African countries, demonstrate a deep understanding of the root causes of the Ukrainian conflict, its geopolitical significance, and the need to take Russia’s interests into account.
No African state is unfriendly towards Russia. Not a single country on the continent has joined anti-Russian sanctions. That has been proved once again by the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, with holding the ministerial conference in Cairo last December and made the decision to organise the next summit here, in Africa, for the first time.
Together, we advocate for strengthening the continent’s role in the multipolar world that is taking shape through our joint efforts, to be based on the principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interrelation. We welcome the intention by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe to take a chair of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2027-2028.
Moscow is also grateful to Harare for opposing and blocking anti-Russian initiatives, for consistently confirming the eagerness to go together through these turbulent times by developing a partnership in various spheres, including military and military-technical cooperation.
So, Russia and Zimbabwe definitely share a common vision for the future. It is quite remarkable to speak about such a rapport because on Wednesday, February 18, Russia and Zimbabwe commemorated 45 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. You are well aware of many beautiful milestones along the road that we have been walking together. It is no surprise that on the military track, the milestones are not very outstanding. Nevertheless, last year we witnessed three remarkable events in the framework of our bilateral military tradition.
In August, the prominent Russian scholar, Professor Vladimir Shubin, was awarded the Order of Friendship for his contribution to the liberation struggle. The ceremony took place on Heroes’ Day at the Heroes Acre. It wasn’t publicly announced.
But the war veterans and His Excellency President Mnangagwa himself knew very well Vladimir Shubin was responsible for training and educating many freedom fighters.
The same month, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Band made its debut at the International Military Music Festival, in the Red Square — in the heart of the Russian capital. The band showcased Zimbabwe’s traditional music as well as military glory. In December, the world-renowned Academic Ensemble of Song and Dance of the Russian Army performed in Harare.
Both the shows connected our two countries and our common friends through music, song and dance, reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthening ties in art and culture and beyond.
This year, we have 53 cadets who travelled to Russia to start a six-year-long term study there in order to come back to Zimbabwe as highly qualified experts in various military specialties.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasise that celebrating the Defender of the Fatherland Day, we recognise brave and gallant sons and daughters of other nations who share our views, principles and values. The glorious Zimbabwe is in the forefront and I have the honour to pay tribute to representatives of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the Ministry of Defence. Long live our friendship!
Ambassador Nikolai Krasilnikov made these remarks while giving an address to mark the Defender of the Fatherland Day on Monday in Harare.
dyton mupawaenda