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ISS cosmonauts congratulate Russians on Russia Day

Denis Matveyev added that Russians cherish the memory of previous generations and their accomplishments

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, June 12. /TASS/. Russian cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev, who is also the TASS special correspondent aboard the International Space Station, and his fellow crew members Denis Matveyev and Sergey Korsakov congratulated their compatriots on the Earth on Russia Day.

"Every year the meaning and significance of this holiday becomes more and more important for us. This kind of attitude toward our country is natural for us, it is rooted in our cultural and genetic code, in traditions of belonging and in devotion to our Motherland that we have inherited from our ancestors," Artemyev said.

In turn, Matveyev added that Russians cherish the memory of previous generations and their accomplishments. The solidarity and dedicated work made Russia stronger, he continued. "We are justly proud of our country and believe in its great future," he said.

Korsakov continued: "We all, together with our homeland, will overcome every hardship and achieve true victories."

The cosmonauts recorded the message in one of Russia's ISS modules, against the backdrop of a huge Russian flag. They were wearing flight suits decorated with the Russian tricolor.

Russia Day is a state holiday celebrated since 1992 on the day of the adoption of the declaration of state sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR). In accordance with the Russian Labor Code, it has been a day off since December 30, 2001.

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