DUSHANBE, May 7, 2015, Asia-Plus – Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has signed a decision on providing extraordinary grants to veterans of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II (WWII).

An official source in the government says more than 4,000 veterans and invalids of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 and persons equated to them will receive 1,500 somoni each.

According to the Council of Veterans of War and Labor of Tajikistan, 810 veterans of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, 2,518 World War II (WWII) home front workers and sixteen widows of the servicemen who died in the Grate Patriotic War of 1941-1945 now live in Tajikistan.

More than 270,000 residents of Tajikistan took part in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 and some 70,000 of them died in battle.  54 of residents of Tajikistan were given the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.  Besides, 15 other Tajikistan’s residents were Full Holders of the Order of Glory.

Victory Day marks the end of World War II in Europe, specifically the capitulation of Nazi forces to the Allies (the United Kingdom, Soviet Union, France, the United States and other principal Allied nations) on May 8, 1945.

In Russia and other countries of former Soviet Union, the day of Victory over Nazi Germany was celebrated on May 9, because when the German Instrument of Surrender actually entered into force (May 8, 1945 at 23:01 CET), it was already May 9 by Moscow Time.  Post-Soviet countries have continued the tradition.