Dr. István Simicskó: War Grave Care Cooperation to Involve Further Countries

The war grave care cooperation – which, according to the minister, is exemplary – has been going on between Russia and Hungary since 1995. Dr. István Simicskó said that the Russian side has an honest attitude to tribute diplomacy, thus the Hungarian soldiers and forced laborers who had fallen there are buried in worthy circumstances. He said that more than 207,000 Hungarian troops had deployed to the Don Bend, of whom 125,000 fell, were wounded or went missing. Close to 20,000 Hungarians are buried in the cemetery of Rudkino, and, at their next of kin’s request, the Ministry of Defence recently had the names of two of them engraved on marble plaques in the cemetery. The minister also said that at his discussion with the governor of Voronezh, they agreed that next year, on the 75th anniversary of the Don breakthrough, a Don Express will be launched, modeled on the Isonzo Express.

Dr. István Simicskó was asked a question about the international military exercise being conducted in Szolnok, which he visited on Wednesday, in the company of President of Hungary János Áder. A potential terrorist attack was simulated at the multinational exercise. The minister said that today, terrorism is in the news on a daily basis. By way of example, he mentioned that people in Great Britain are prepared with a “stay safe" film for what they should do in the event of a terrorist attack. “Terrorist attacks can occur anywhere and anytime", the minister pointed out, adding that besides policemen and counterterrorism agencies, in case of serious trouble, it would be necessary to deploy soldiers, primarily from the Special Operations Forces. The earlier battalion-strong SOF unit has by now been reorganized into a regiment, and according to plans, it will be upgraded to brigade status, Dr. István Simicskó said.