Russian official: Karabakh reconstruction aid reflects friendship

Support for the reconstruction of Karabakh by Russia’s Astrakhan Region is an expression of friendship and humanitarian solidarity rather than economic interest, Astrakhan Region Vice Governor and Chairman of the Regional Government Denis Afanasyev has stated.

While inspecting the construction of a preschool in the village of Mahruzlu in Azerbaijan’s Gubadli district, he said Azerbaijan and the Astrakhan Region share deep historical, economic, cultural, and spiritual ties, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

He noted that these longstanding relations prompted Astrakhan Governor Igor Babushkin to propose to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev that the region contribute to the reconstruction of the liberated territories.

With the president’s approval, it was decided to build a kindergarten in Mahruzlu.

“This project is, above all, an expression of humanitarian support. There is no economic interest here. What matters most to us is friendship and human solidarity. We want the children who attend this kindergarten to know that it was built with the participation of the Astrakhan Region and to remember that we are friends of Azerbaijan and will always stand by it,” Afanasyev added.

The vice governor also thanked President Ilham Aliyev for supporting the initiative to name the kindergarten after Russian writer Pyotr Petrovich Yershov.

“This will bring future generations even closer together. We are united by many shared spiritual, cultural, and historical values that should be passed on from one generation to the next,” he stressed.

According to Afanasyev, construction of the kindergarten is scheduled to be completed in August 2026.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov