Tatneft' PAO : A Monument to Russian Soldiers Was Unveiled in France with the Support of TATNEFT

The monument to the heroes of the Russian Expeditionary corps defending France in the First World War was unveiled in the French city of Brest - a large military and commercial port at the Atlantic coast of the country. The ceremony was timed to the 100th anniversary of the Russian soldiers' arrival to the city. The project implementation was made possible through the joint efforts of PJSC TATNEFT, ZENIT Banking Group and the Russian Federation Embassy in France.

The ceremony was attended by François Kiyandair Mayor of Brest, Alexander Orlov, Russian Ambassador to France, Mikhail Myagkov, scientific director of the Russian military and historical society (RVIO), Admiral Emmanuel de Oliveira, maritime prefect of the Atlantic coast of France as well as the representatives of the region and the city.

Addressing the audience, Mayor François Kiyandair emphasized that the French Brest would never forget the feat of the Russian Expeditionary force which had defended France in the First World War. 'We are grateful to Russia for this invaluable assistance,' the mayor said.

Unveiling of the monument to the heroes of the Russian Expeditionary corps happened to be a part of the Days of Russia within the program of the International Maritime Festival held in Brest, where Russia was the guest of honor. The French organizers had invited the world-famous sailing vessels 'Kruzenstern', 'Standard' and 'Sedov' to take part in the maritime week.

In recent years, PJSC TATNEFT and ZENIT Banking Group have implemented a number of patriotic projects. One of the most striking and large-scale ones is a comprehensive project to preserve the historical memory of the legendary Soviet-French air regiment 'Normandie-Niemen', which was fighting against Nazi troops during the Second World War.