Valleroy, May 6, 2026 – On the eve of Great Victory Day, Kazakh soldiers who fell during the liberation of France were honored in the department of Meurthe-et-Moselle.

The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to France, Gulsara Arystankulova, the Consul General in Strasbourg, Anel Bakytbekkyzy, and the Mayor of Valleroy, Christian Lamorlette, alongside the leadership of the memorial complex and local residents, visited the burial sites and participated in a wreath-laying ceremony.

Furthermore, the Kazakhstani delegation paid tribute to prisoners of war interred at the Metz-Chambière National Military Necropolis, including Kazakh citizens whose identities were established through departmental archives. Additionally, staff from the Office of the Military Attaché at the Embassy of Kazakhstan took part in a ceremony at the Noyers-Saint-Martin memorial, dedicated to Soviet soldiers. This site serves as the final resting place for 4,643 Red Army soldiers who fought within the ranks of the French Resistance.

During the commemorative events, Kazakhstani diplomats expressed their sincere gratitude to French local authorities and residents for their diligent care of the burial sites and for preserving the memory of the soldiers' courage and self-sacrifice. In turn, the French representatives noted the historical contribution of Kazakhstanis to the liberation of France and emphasized the importance of passing the legacy of their resilience and sacrifice to future generations.

The memorial to Soviet soldiers in the commune of Valleroy was established in 1971. With the support of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in France in 2018, the burial places of Kazakhstani warriors Zeinulla Alimgaziev, Konyspek Zhakiianov, Mysakhan (Nishan) Turgambaev, and Isin (Esen) Dzhumagulov were identified. Subsequently, the burial sites of Nikolay Mikhailovich Shcheglov (a native of East Kazakhstan) and Alexander Ivanovich Kosobokov (a native of the North Kazakhstan Region) were also confirmed.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-strasbourg/press/news/details/1217847?lang=kk