Victory day at TsAGI: memory, gratitude and tradition
8 May 2018
The Zhukovsky Central AeroHydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) became Russia’s active partner during the Great Patriotic War (WWII). The institute provided visible contributions to the defense of the country. Despite the hardships of evacuation, the Institute developed, researched, tested and perfected platforms for military aviation, artillery, infantry and the naval fleet. Winged flying machines, surpassing the enemy’s hardware in flight characteristics took to the air thanks to the hard work of scientists and the continuous operation of our plants. The legendary Yak-3, MIG-3, PE-2, La-5, La-7, IL-2 and other front-line aircraft were tested in TsAGI wind tunnels.
The traditional meeting dedicated to Victory Day took place on May 8. Veterans, TsAGI staff, members of the National research centre “Zhukovsky Institute,” representatives of public associations and youth organizations gathered at the Victory Monument. Sergey Chernyshev, TsAGI’s Director General and academician of RAS opened the ceremony.
“TsAGI’s significant contributions during the Second World War II are not only the improvement of military equipment, but also the dedication and hard work of every specialist during that bleak period,” said Sergey Chernyshev. “Several hundred of our staff were at the front and, sadly, many did not return. They sacrificed for our peace and our very lives, and today we remember the Great Victory, which is now enshrined in our memories.”
Andrey Voytyuk, Head of the Zhukovsky Urban District, spoke, expressing warm wishes to veterans. The solemn meeting finished with a minute of silence in memory of the fallen heroes of the Great Patriotic War, followed by the laying of flowers at the Memorial and a festive concert.