PSKOV. March 1 (Interfax) - Pskov paratroopers who refused to give up in the confrontation with militants proved that Russia was invincible, President Vladimir Putin said at the Friday concert dedicated to the deceased paratroopers.
"They accomplished a feat; they fought the enemy as fearlessly as their grandfathers did in fighting the Nazis and proved the sacred continuity of generations at the cost of their lives. No one dares say that our younger generation is unpatriotic. Soldiers of the 6th company proved to the entire world that Russia was invincible and its brave sons would die for their fatherland at critical moments," Putin said.
The paratroopers engaged in the battle on the day "which meant a lot for the future of Russia and its people," the president said.
"International terrorism unleashed a cruel criminal war against us," Putin said, adding that the war aimed to break up Russia.
"Sixth company heroes never retreated an inch. They proved their allegiance to the oath and comradeship-in-arms," Putin said.
Earlier in the day he laid flowers at the monument to the paratroopers of the sixth company of the 76th airborne division who died in Chechnya 13 years ago.