A group photo of the speakers at the event held at the Russian House to honor heroes of Six October War.
At the Russian House in Dokki, the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association, headed by Ibrahim Kamel, organised a special event to mark the 52nd anniversary of Egypt's historic October 1973 War victory.
The event was attended by several prominent figures, including among others Vadim Zaychikov, Director of the Russian Cultural Centres in Egypt; Ezzat Saad, former Egyptian ambassador to Moscow; Major General Hamdy Labib, Egypt's former military attaché to North Korea; and Sherif Gad, who moderated the event in his capacity as Secretary-General of the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association and Cultural Director at the Russian House.
Ambassador Ezzat Saad, Head of the ERFA, Ibrahim Kamel and Director of the Russian Cultural Centres Vadim Zaychikov.
A legacy of military and cultural partnership
Opening the ceremony, Zaychikov extended heartfelt congratulations to the Egyptian people, emphasising the strength of military cooperation between Egypt and Russia and how it has paved the way for broader collaboration across multiple fields.
Kamel declared the October Victory "the greatest military achievement in Egyptian history," affirming that Egyptians will always take pride in the heroes who led the country to triumph.
Ambassador Saad highlighted the multifaceted cooperation between the two nations, citing the High Dam as a longstanding symbol of this strategic alliance.
First-hand testimonies from the war heroes
Major General Labib gave a detailed breakdown of the five critical phases leading up to victory: the steadfastness phase, the active defence, the War of Attrition, the no-war-no-peace period, and finally, the war preparation phase. He emphasised the iron will of the Egyptian people in overcoming the myth of the "invincible army."
War hero Major General Mohie Nouh—portrayed by actor Ahmed Ezz in the film The Passage—spoke passionately about the unique spirit of October that united soldiers, officers, and leadership. He stressed the transformative impact of recruiting university graduates into the army, which significantly enhanced Egypt's combat effectiveness.
Major General Samir Mohamed Ali praised Egyptian forces for mastering the use of Russian-made missile systems in record time, which surprised the enemy and altered the course of battle.
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Engineer Sabry El-Ashmawy, Chairman of the High Dam Builders Association, proudly stated that the idea to destroy the heavily fortified Bar Lev Line using high-pressure water pumps was inspired by techniques used during the construction of the High Dam—something no military around the world anticipated.
Cultural and educational dimensions of the partnership
Mokhtar Younis, a professor at the Academy of Arts, revealed that work is underway on a new documentary that captures the heroic saga of the October War, underscoring the role of cinema in preserving national memory.
Former Military Intelligence Director Major General Ahmed Wanees emphasised the pivotal role of Soviet military support, stating that "Russian-supplied weapons enabled the crossing," which, combined with the Egyptians' indomitable spirit, secured victory.
Gamal Hassan, former under-secretary at the Ministry of Higher Education, pointed out that education has always been a cornerstone of Egyptian-Russian relations, noting the scholarships Russia provides to Egyptian youth in civilian and military disciplines.
Ahmed Moneib, a member of the Friendship Association, shared a historical anecdote involving his father and President Gamal Abdel-Nasser. When asked what he needed, Moneib's father requested the creation of an Operations Research Centre similar to the one in Israel. President Nasser turned to the Soviet Union for assistance, which then supplied the necessary equipment.
The event concluded with a screening of a rare archival documentary chronicling Egypt's momentous victory in the October War.
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