The President of Belarus sent an address to compatriots on the occasion of the Day of National Remembrance of the Victims of the Great Patriotic War and the Genocide of the Belarusian People

"22.06.41 – these are figures seared into the memory of the Belarusian people as the most terrible date in history. The date of the invasion of the country by Hitler's army, assembled from all over Europe, with the aim of conquering living space for the Nazis who declared themselves the "master race." This was the beginning of a large-scale cleansing of the Eastern European territory with human experiments, executions, torture, and mass killings of defenseless residents – the elderly, women, and children.

The war came to our land exactly 85 years ago. It took the lives of every third person and broke the destinies of millions of Belarusians. Year after year, on this June morning, we remember how the Brest Fortress, fortified regions, and cities stood to the death, thwarting the plans of Nazi Germany's lightning offensive. We remember how the occupied republic fought for long 1132 days, bleeding with the blood of unconquered and unbroken heroes – underground fighters, partisans, and civilians.

Our memory is a shield with which we hold back the aggression of militant revanchism. The investigation of the criminal case on the genocide of the Belarusian people is an act of just trial for crimes that have no statute of limitations."

We, the heirs of the victors, are obliged to always defend historical truth, cherish the memory of the heroes of that war, and instill in our children immunity against ideologies of national exclusivity and superiority, to teach them to be proud of the great feat of the Soviet people, who gave current generations life, peace, and freedom.

Light memory to the innocent victims of the Great Patriotic War, eternal glory to the victorious heroes.