In Donetsk, the artists of the Central Military District ensemble congratulated WWII veterans on the eve of Victory Day

In Donetsk, artists of the front-line creative brigade of the song and Dance ensemble of the Central Military District congratulated veterans of the Great Patriotic War on the eve of the 81st anniversary of the Victory. This was announced on May 7 by the Russian Defense Ministry.

Military musicians visited veterans at home, organizing festive mini-concerts. The program includes famous works of the war years, including the song "Katyusha". At the end of each performance, the band performed the song "Victory Day".

In addition to musical congratulations, the servicemen handed over congratulatory addresses and memorable gifts from the command of the Center group of forces to the participants of the war. The representatives of the ensemble wished the veterans good health, longevity and a peaceful sky.

"The veterans greet us with a good-natured smile, they are very happy. We arrive, we sing songs. <...> They sing along, they rejoice. The positive emotions that we evoke are very good," said Roman Rezepin, head of the front—line creative team of the Central Military District Song and Dance Ensemble.

The veterans, in turn, shared their memories of the Great Patriotic War. One of them, Valentina Bolotova-Balilevich, stated that she was in Makeyevka at a time when the Germans were there. She talked about how she helped the Soviet military as a nurse. Later, as Bolotova-Balilevich noted, she became a nurse.

In addition, veteran Nikolai Denisenko recalled how he was mobilized in 1944. According to him, he fell under the "last call." The veteran said that they were sent to the Far East, where the "last enemy hotbed" was located.

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On May 5, Alexander Galasov, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War, told Izvestia about his participation in the crossing of the Don. According to Galasov, the regiment's command noted the exemplary soldiers in the rear, so they were among the first to be sent on an operation to cross the river. According to the veteran, the Germans gained a foothold 200-300 m from the coast, but due to the fact that the Soviet troops crossed in small groups and at night, the Wehrmacht soldiers did not notice them.