This day is a date remembered with both sorrow and joy. We express gratitude for humanity being freed from the scourge of fascism and for preserving its freedom. However, our hearts are saddened because millions of innocent victims and losses were incurred in this war.
During World War II, nearly 2 million people from Uzbekistan were sent to the front. At that time, the republic's population was approximately 6.5 million. Thus, almost every family felt the severe suffering of the war. According to official data, 1 million 951 thousand Uzbeks set off for the front, over 538 thousand Uzbeks were killed on the battlefields, more than 158 thousand people went missing, and hundreds of thousands of our compatriots returned with severe injuries and disabilities.
Uzbekistan not only sent soldiers to the front but also became an important home front for the entire Soviet Union. During the war years, over 280 new industrial enterprises were established in the republic. Here, aircraft, aircraft engines, mines, shells, grenades, parachutes, and other military products were produced. During the war years alone, over 2,000 aircraft, 17,000 aircraft engines, and millions of ammunition and military equipment were sent to the front.
The people of Uzbekistan also supplied food and clothing for the front. Collective farms and factories in the region worked day and night, sending hundreds of thousands of tons of grain, meat, dried fruit, cotton products, warm clothing, and other strategic goods to the front. Ordinary people did not even spare their last bread and provisions for the front.
During the war years, Uzbekistan also became a symbol of kindness and humanity. The republic received over 1.5 million evacuated people. Among them were around 200–250 thousand orphaned children. Uzbek families took these children into their hearts as their own, saving them from hunger and death. Uzbek families embraced them as their own children, raised them, and brought them up. These events remain in history as a bright example of our people's compassion and tolerance. This example of humanity is still mentioned today as one of the brightest pages of history.
The courage of our compatriots at the front was also highly valued. Uzbek soldiers showed heroism in decisive battles such as Moscow, Stalingrad, Kursk, and Berlin. Hundreds of thousands of Uzbek soldiers were awarded orders and medals. Nearly 300 of our compatriots were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Thousands of Uzbeks were awarded orders and medals. They displayed fortitude in the fierce battles from Moscow to Berlin.
Today, 60 participants of World War II and persons equated to them live in Uzbekistan. Only a small part of them are front-line soldiers who directly participated in combat operations at the front.
A large portion of the veterans reside in the city of Tashkent (28 persons) and the Tashkent region (11 persons). In the Ferghana region, 5 veterans live.
Many veterans are over 100 years old (in 2025, the oldest veteran was 114 years old).
This blessed date is commemorated with dignity in our country every year. This year, a decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On measures for the preparation and conduct of May 9 — the Day of Remembrance and Appreciation" (No. PP-139 dated April 16, 2026) was also adopted.
The decree approved a program for the preparation and conduct of events dedicated to this date. The events will be held under the motto "Duty, Courage, Fortitude!" They will include spiritual and educational meetings, "a meeting of three generations," exhibitions, and mass sports competitions.
Material and moral support will be provided to participants of World War II and veterans of the labor front, as well as to the families of military personnel and law enforcement officers who died while performing their duty during the years of independence.
It is ensured that participants of World War II and veterans of the labor front are given free vouchers to republican sanatoriums with one companion, according to their wish.
Today, we bow our heads in memory of the war participants, the selfless workers of the labor front, and our fallen ancestors. We pray to the Almighty for the afterlife of the departed to be blessed. In our view, the main lesson left by our warrior ancestors is to value peace, preserve the tranquility of our homeland, and consider human life the highest value. May there never be war, and may the sky over our homeland always be clear!
Abulfayz Sayidasqarov
