TASHKENT, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Almost 2 million Uzbeks fought Nazi Germany during World War II, according to newly revealed data, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has said.
"Until now it was believed that ... about 1.5 million (Uzbeks) participated in the war. However, according to recent data, about 1.951 million people were mobilized to the front," the president said Saturday during his speech to mark Victory Day, which is commemorated in former republics of the Soviet Union.
Mirziyoyev delivered the speech at a ceremony in a newly built Victory Park dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the victory over Fascism with the surrender of Nazi Germany on May 9, 1945, saying new data were revealed thanks to the declassification of archival documents and cooperation with other countries.
He said more than 538,000 Uzbeks died in the battles, and more than 158,000 others went missing.
Uzbekistan fought during World War II alongside other former republics of the Soviet Union. The Central Asian country became independent in 1991.
Mirziyoyev said that according to the latest data, 1.5 million people including over 250,000 children were evacuated to Uzbekistan during the wartime. Enditem
