Major Popov reminded of the need to remember the feat of the great-grandfathers

Deputy commander of the 80th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade (Arctic), Major Mikhail Popov participated in battles on various fronts of the special military operation (SVO). The knowledge gained at the military college, as well as faith in God and family, helped him maintain his composure in the war zone. He told Izvestia about this on May 9, Victory Day.

"I think my ancestors would have been proud of me. Looking at the photos [of the participants of the Great Patriotic War], you understand what our country and our people went through. Our great—grandfathers and great-grandmothers have done everything possible for us to exist at the moment and continue their incredible journey," he shared.

Popov called the battle near Kharkov in May 2022 one of the most memorable — at that time he commanded a company. A group of 11 men was tasked with advancing towards the enemy, taking up a defensive position ahead of the battalion and preventing a surprise attack on the main forces.

"Soon the enemy went on the offensive, launched an air strike, inflicted fire damage, and subsequently launched an assault. We got surrounded, called fire on ourselves, and after a week of fighting, we got out of the encirclement in full force," Popov said, adding that the enemy forces numbered up to 300 people.

The man wished health to all personnel of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and urged the command staff to take care of subordinates.

"I wish everyone to return alive and well to their families," Popov added.

"The liberation of native lands is inherited from a great—grandfather"

As participants of the Victory Day Parade on May 9, the great-grandchildren of the 1945 victors are defending Russia on the same frontiers where their ancestors once fought.

Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin called Victory Day a sacred and main holiday for Russia. He stressed that it was the Soviet people who made a decisive contribution to the defeat of Nazism, saved their country and saved the world, put an end to merciless evil, and returned sovereignty to those states that had capitulated to Nazi Germany.