United Russia will stand up for Stalingrad – Newspaper Kommersant No. 17 (7462) of 01/31/2023

“United Russia” (ER) handed out to its deputies of the State Duma traditional recommendations for working with voters in the framework of the “regional week”. The main event for United Russia will be the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad. They will have to draw parallels between it and the special military operation (SVO), which, “like the Battle of Stalingrad, is the line beyond which it is impossible to retreat”, in their social networks and in special “lessons of courage” in schools. EP also advised its wards to conduct special financial literacy classes, in which high school students should learn about the main aspects of the party’s “People’s Program” and budgeting, in order to discuss these topics with their parents later.

United Russia Duma members receive recommendations on “working topics” before each week allotted for work with voters. The current “regional week” will last until February 5. In the materials received by the deputies (“Kommersant” got acquainted with them) there are several “sense lines” that they must adhere to in communicating with citizens on the ground.

The main topic of this week for United Russia is the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the defeat of the Nazi troops in the Battle of Stalingrad (July 17, 1942 – February 2, 1943). The deputies are offered to congratulate the participants of the battle and help them in solving everyday issues. Also, United Russia members will conduct “lessons of courage” in schools and write publications on social networks dedicated to the battle, comparing it with a special operation, which, “like the Battle of Stalingrad 80 years ago, is a line beyond which it is impossible to retreat.” In addition, party members should write about the need to preserve historical memory and combat the falsification of history. “Stalingrad defended for 8 months, Donbass for 8 years. Today’s events, in terms of the scale of consequences, will mean the same for Russia as during the Great Patriotic War – the enemy will flee, and we will begin our path to Victory, ”the recommendations say.

In the summer, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to reporters on Monday that the head of state would make a one-day trip to Volgograd this week.

This is not the first time that EP has offered deputies to draw “historical analogies with today’s events.” So, in the summer, party members were advised to pay attention to July 10, the Day of Military Glory, dedicated to the victory in the Battle of Poltava (during the Northern War of 1700-1721). After this battle, Mazepa “escaped” to Bendery and died a few months later, and “… today’s Ukrainian” Mazepas “, who sold the Ukrainian people for 30 pieces of silver, must understand that after a new victory for Russia, the same fate awaits them,” it was said in those recommendations.

Another task of United Russia in the regional week is to support the families of Russian servicemen participating in the NWO. In social networks, United Russia should speak out in support of the combatants, the decisions of the president, and also explain federal and regional measures to support the mobilized and their families. They are invited to participate in the collection and dispatch of humanitarian supplies and to facilitate the purchase of all equipment and ammunition necessary for the fighters in cooperation with the regional branches of the party, public organizations, foundations, patrons and the executive authorities of the regions.

Every regional week, deputies are asked to remind voters about the party’s “People’s Program”. EP emphasizes that, “despite the sanctions, the investment of resources to help new regions, the party continues to fulfill its promises.” It is recalled that the main themes of United Russia are social gasification, the construction of first aid stations, the overhaul of schools, and the repair of student dormitories.

This time, United Russia members will separately talk about their program to high school students. For these purposes, the party intends to conduct financial literacy lessons in schools. “This issue is of particular relevance in the current conditions of intensive development of technologies, as well as taking into account the sanctions pressure on Russia,” the materials say. During the lessons, it is recommended to touch upon the issues of budgeting and invite students to discuss the party program “at home with their parents”.

Maria Makutina