Baku, January 6, 2026 – The Europe Today: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has reflected on the profound emotional weight of the Patriotic War, saying that every liberated village and every place where an Azerbaijani martyr fell symbolized the nation’s land to him.
Speaking in an interview with local television channels on January 5, President Aliyev said the losses suffered during the war left an indelible impact on him, describing the daily reports of casualties as deeply painful.
“During the Patriotic War, land to me was represented by every liberated village, and the place where every martyr died was land to me. It is impossible to put into words the feelings I had when I received information about the losses every day,” the head of state said.
President Aliyev noted that decisions taken during the conflict, including changes in the direction of military operations and the cessation of hostilities on November 10, were aimed at preventing further potential losses.
“Every time our flag was raised in a village or city, Azerbaijan for me was that land,” he added.
Emphasizing the need for constant readiness to defend the country, President Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijan must remain strong and vigilant at all times.
“We must be strong and ready at every moment to defend our land, and I am sure that from now on not a single inch of our territory will fall under anyone’s feet. There is both strength and determination for this, the unity of the people, and a strong Azerbaijani state,” the President said.
