Igor Korotchenko, Director General of the Caspian Strategy Institute, has highlighted Azerbaijan’s substantial contribution to the victory in the Second World War, Report informs.

In a conversation with journalists, Korotchenko noted that “Azerbaijan does not forget the veterans and heroes of the Great Patriotic War, commemorates their memory, and pays respect to them. The monuments in Baku, adorned with wreaths and flowers, are a testament to this.”

He emphasized that Azerbaijan made a significant contribution to the victory in the Second World War, primarily through its oil, as “oil is the blood of war.”

Korotchenko also pointed out the importance of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani soldiers and officers who fought in the Soviet army, reached Berlin, and participated in all major battles.

Korotchenko recalled that the 80th anniversary of the victory will be widely celebrated in Russia. “We are glad and grateful that Azerbaijan shares, remembers, and will participate in these commemorative events. We thank, first of all, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, for this,” he said.