Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan issued the following message today marking the May 9 holiday.

Dear compatriots, dear veterans of the Great Patriotic War, the Artsakh Liberation War, distinguished generals of the Artsakh Defense Army, officers, soldiers,

May 9 has been enshrined in the history of the Armenian people as a symbol of its freedom-loving and indomitable spirit, courage and heroism, boundless love for the motherland, devotion and self-sacrifice.

During the Great Patriotic War, our ancestors, along with other peoples of the Soviet Union, fought selflessly against the greatest evil against humanity, fascism. We are proud that Artsakh also played a significant contribution in this victory. One third of its population went to the front, giving many heroes to the USSR, marshals, admirals, commanders.

Their heroic tradition was continued by future generations. Thirty years ago, forming a regular army from volunteer groups, they successfully carried out the liberation of the ancient Armenian fortress city.

Today, Shushi is again in captivity, like hundreds of our sanctuaries and settlements, which are being destroyed and vandalized by Azerbaijan. Their goal is to completely eliminate all Armenian traces and the Armenians, violating all norms and principles of international law.

Today the security of Artsakh, together with our Defense Army, is provided by Russian peacekeeping troops. We are deeply grateful to our friends for being by the side of the people of Artsakh and for supporting us in every way.

On behalf of the authorities of the Artsakh Republic, I personally congratulate everyone on these precious and cherished holidays and pay my respects to the memory of all our martyrs who dedicated their lives to the defense of the Motherland, to their families and relatives. For the sake of the sacred memory of our heroic grandfathers, fathers and sons, for the sake of future generations, Artsakh must always be Armenian and invincible.

Eternal glory and honor to those dedicated to the homeland.