Director of Military Attachés Affairs, Brigadier General Nassir Ali Al Thani, with Military Attaché at the Russian Embassy, Colonel Maxim Zelenik during the event.
Doha, Qatar: The Russian Embassy in Qatar last Sunday hosted a reception to celebrate the Defender of the Fatherland Day.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Ambassador of Russia, H E Dmitry Dogadkin; the Director of Military Attachés Affairs, Brigadier General Nassir Ali Al Thani, representing the Qatari Armed Forces; members of the diplomatic corps; business and social and political figures; as well as Russian citizens living in the country.
Every year on February 23, Russia celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day, an event honoring military service members and commemorated through various traditions, reflecting national pride.
In his speech at the event, the Military Attaché at the Russian Embassy, Colonel Maxim Zelenik, noted the merits of the Russian army and veterans and their invaluable contribution to the defense of the Motherland and the preservation of peace. He emphasized the importance of celebrating the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War in the year declared by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, as the Year of Defender of the Fatherland. In addition, the guests enjoyed a festive concert and dinner with traditional Russian dishes. The reception was held in an atmosphere of respect and patriotism.
Zelenik thanked the Amir of Qatar and the government for their wise and balanced neutral position regarding the Ukrainian conflict.
“We highly appreciate the mediation efforts of the State of Qatar to reunite families separated by this conflict. Qatar enjoys a global reputation as a neutral and reliable mediator. Last year, the state of Qatar amended its constitution and became the first state in the world whose basic law specifies the state’s role in resolving international disputes through mediation and dialogue,” he said.
The Military Attaché noted that the Russian-Qatari relations are based on common cultural and human values and the foundations of friendship and mutual cooperation.
“Russia pays great attention to developing these relations to reach higher levels in all fields,” he added.
According to him, 2025 has been declared by the President of the Russian Federation as the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland to preserve historical memory, commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945, express gratitude to veterans, and acknowledge the heroic deeds of participants in the special military operation.
Highlights of the event include a festive concert with performances by different Russian groups, and guests were treated to dinner with traditional Russian dishes in an atmosphere of respect and patriotism.
