Islamabad, 17 April 2026(Kamran Raja): The Embassy of Russia in Pakistan hosted an official opening ceremony for a photo exhibition commemorating the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Genocide of the Soviet People during the Great Patriotic War.
Held at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts, the exhibition highlights atrocities committed by Nazi forces and their collaborators during World War II. The event was attended by ambassadors from CIS countries including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, alongside diplomats from Cuba, Iran, Kenya, Rwanda, Syria, and Zimbabwe. Representatives of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as members of the academic community and Russian expatriates, were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Albert P. Khorev underscored the devastating human cost of Nazi Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, describing it as the beginning of the deadliest conflict in human history. He emphasized that out of the estimated 27 million Soviet lives lost, nearly 14 million civilians were victims of systematic extermination through executions, torture, and concentration camps.
Ambassador Khorev also shared a personal account of his great-grandmother’s forced deportation to Germany for slave labor, reflecting the widespread suffering endured by Soviet families during the war.
The Ambassador noted that the designation of April 19 as a remembrance day by Vladimir Putin is grounded in the findings of the Nuremberg Trials verdict of October 1, 1946, which established the systematic nature of Nazi crimes.
In his concluding remarks, he stressed the importance of preserving historical truth and preventing distortion of wartime events, reaffirming Russia’s stance against the resurgence of neo-Nazism.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Gul-i-Ayesha Bhatti highlighted the immense sacrifices and heroism of the Soviet people, noting their decisive role in enabling Europe’s liberation and post-war development.
The ceremony concluded with participants lighting candles in memory of the victims, followed by a moment of silence.
The exhibition, featuring archival photographs and materials, will remain open to visitors at PNCA until April 19. The Russian Embassy expressed appreciation to the Victory Museum and the State Historical Museum for providing the exhibition content.