Rossiya-24 and Rossiya-1 TV channels aired an interview with President Ilham Aliyev in their reports

On August 30 inauguration of the Sambek Heights - new military-historical museum complex of the Great Patriotic War was held in the Rostov Region of the Russian Federation.

Russian Rossiya-24 and Rossiya-1 TV channels aired reporting, providing extensive information about the 416th Taganrog Division's heroism, which consisted mainly of the Azerbaijanis. Reporting featured an interview with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Presenter: A national military-historical museum, the Sambek Heights, was opened in the Rostov Region today. The word "national" is no coincidence because it was created on veterans and search specialists' initiative. Sambek was the place of fierce battles both in 1941 when the Nazis were eager to capture Rostov, and in 1943 when ours stormed it. The elevation is essential not only for Russia but also for Azerbaijan, and its President spoke about those events on this day.

Veronika Bogma's report says that the museum complex sits on the site of real battles. Of the 160 kilometers of the Mius front line, 14.5 hectares were occupied by a battlefield.

Governor of the Rostov Region Vasily Golubev: The scale of destruction, barbarity and inhumanity of the Nazis on our land is unprecedented in history. Every family cherishes the memory of veterans and participants in the Great Patriotic War. Here, in the Honorary Alley, 325 warriors were laid to rest with honors in the spring of 2017, the names of 19 established.

The reporting says that the complex consists of a military-historical museum, information and exhibition center, chapel, amphitheater, apple orchard, and eight outdoor areas. There are also layouts of Hitler's fortifications. On the front line alone, almost 3,000 kilometers of trenches were dug, which is twice the distance to Berlin.

The Sambek heights are a series of dominant peaks, hills, and mounds formed by the Donetsk ridge's southern spurs along the right bank of the Mius River. The highest of them is the Saur-Mogila burial mound, located 40 kilometers from the museum complex. Its height is 277.9 meters. Here on the Sambek heights 80 to 100 meters above sea level, the Nazis did everything to make them impregnable.

The first memorial for the Mius Front soldiers was erected here in 1980 to mark the 35th anniversary of the Victory, built with funds and active participation of the Republic of Azerbaijan. A delegation headed by Heydar Aliyev attended the opening ceremony.

National leader Heydar Aliyev: The majestic monument erected on the Don land is a tribute to the cherished memory, respect and gratitude of the workers of the Rostov Region and Azerbaijan to all the heroes of the battles, alive and fallen.

President Ilham Aliyev: This was no coincidence because more than 90 percent of soldiers in the 416th Taganrog Rifle Division, which liberated the Rostov region, were originally from Azerbaijan. The 416th Taganrog Division liberated the city of Rostov and the entire Rostov region, including the city of Taganrog, after which the division was renamed into the Taganrog Division. The 416th division also liberated the cities of Melitopol, Chisinau, and Odessa. This division fought with distinction in the successful Mozdok operation. This operation, in fact, prevented the capture of Baku by the Nazis. Otherwise, the consequences of the Great Patriotic War would have been catastrophic. At that time, Azerbaijan supplied 80 percent of the fuel and 90 percent of the frontline lubricants. If Azerbaijan and its oil fields had fallen into the Nazis' hands, the outcome of the war would have been entirely different.

The reporting continues: Indeed, the fascists were interested in Don not only as a breadbasket with endless fertile fields. It was also the Caucasus's gates, the entrance to Maykop, Grozny, Baku, and further to the Persian Gulf. In the six months that the 416th division was stationed on the Mius Front, it suffered such losses that it changed its contingent personnel three times.

President Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijan has made a worthy contribution to our joint victory. A total of 128 Heroes of the Soviet Union are originally from Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan produced military hardware. The enterprises worked day and night. I should also note that the 416th division also distinguished itself in the capture of Berlin. It was soldiers of this division that captured the Kaiser Wilhelm's Palace. A group of servicemen led by Azerbaijani Lieutenant Majidov also planted the Victory flag over the Brandenburg Gate.

The report says: This is unique footage and photographs depicting the banner of Victory hoisted over Berlin's symbol on May 2. One of the participants in those events greets fellow soldiers from his mountain village – surrounded by 37 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Alish Khalilov, a veteran of World War II: I say hello and convey congratulations on the museum's opening to all the surviving soldiers of the Taganrog Division.

President Ilham Aliyev: We honor the sacred memory of those who gave their lives for our joint victory. Veterans in Azerbaijan are surrounded by attention and care. We have always spoken out and continue to speak out against the glorification of the Nazis, to preserve the historical truth about the role of the Soviet Union in the victory over fascism. I am sure that the opening of the new memorial also serves as a testimony to our efforts to ensure that future generations do not forget our fathers and grandfathers' feat. They must honor our joint victory and know the truth about those who made a significant and decisive contribution to our joint Victory.

I want to congratulate all the veterans and the peoples of Russia and Azerbaijan on the memorial complex's opening and wish the veterans good health and well-being.

The reporting continues: Search specialists are still finding the Azerbaijanis who died on Mius. This alley appeared here already in our times. Under each tree, there are plaques with names that have been established.

Arsentiy Evterev had ceased to be an unknown soldier. His relatives pass on to each other the story of his last meeting with his family when the front line approached his native farm.

Natalia Golovach, the granddaughter of Arsentiy Yevterev: He kissed the children, kissed his wife, held his little son in his arms, cried, and left.

There was a time when people knew about the Mius-front but remained silent. The truth seemed uncomfortable due to so many losses. The reporting notes that the museum displays thousands of artifacts from family archives and exhibits found across the battlefields. The most advanced technologies were widely used in the creation and operation of the museum.