The Office of the Military Attaché at the Russian Embassy in the Central African Republic held an official reception on February 23 in honor of Defender of the Fatherland Day, a correspondent for African Initiative reports.
High-ranking representatives of the CAR Armed Forces (FACA), senior officials from ministries and departments, Russian diplomats, and compatriots serving in the country arrived to congratulate their Russian colleagues on their professional holiday.
"Today's holiday symbolizes the main virtues of Russian soldiers and officers, for whom serving the Fatherland and protecting its interests is a calling and the highest goal. We see examples of their bravery daily, including in news about the course of the special military operation," stated Military Attaché Colonel Sergey Orlov, addressing those gathered.
On behalf of the FACA command, First Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Corps General Victor Yakoub, conveyed congratulations to the Russian side. "The Russian side has made a decisive contribution to the fight against terrorism and stabilizing the security situation in the CAR since 2018," the general emphasized.
Also speaking at the event were FACA's Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Divisional General Freddy Sakama, and Deputy Interior Minister Samuel Talle-Yekoma, who demonstrated proficiency in Russian.
"I am often called a 'dark-skinned Russian.' Russia is forever in my heart!" he declared.
CAR Deputy Foreign Minister Alain Lamessy highly assessed the state of relations between the countries. Congratulating the Russian military, he called on both sides to expand areas of cooperation.
The guest of honor at the event was Russian Ambassador to Bangui Alexander Bikantov. Embassy staff, officers of the Russian Defense Ministry's representation in the CAR, and military specialists deployed through the Russian military department to the UN mission (MINUSCA) traditionally joined their compatriots.
