Spanish charity releases book commemorating Russia's "ninos de la guerra" killed in WWII

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his thanks to the Spanish charity Fundacion Nostalgia for a copy of its newly-released book "Memory." The book commemorates "ninos de la guerra" who fought hand in hand with the Soviets in World War II. The Spanish term "ninos de la guerra" is commonly used to refer to the young Spaniards sheltered by the Soviet Union during the Civil War (1936-1939).

Russian Ambassador Mikhail Kamynin has conveyed to Nostalgia President Manuel Arze Mr. Putin's assurances that Russia will always remember with thanks the valorous sons and daughters of Spain who fought and sacrificed their lives for their adopted homeland's freedom.

The book carries lists and photographs of Spaniards who fought in regular Soviet army units or as part of guerrilla forces. It makes special mention of the two hundred Spanish kids who stayed at Leningrad orphanages during WWII. Most of them died during the 900-day-long siege of the city by the Nazi invaders.

The Nostalgia, created by "ninos de la guerra" who returned to Spain in postwar years, provides all kinds of assistance, including financial, for fellow countrymen staying behind in Russia. The charity also tries to be helpful to surviving Russian nationals who fought against fascism in the Spanish Civil War. One of the Nostalgia's recent projects to have been undertaken with this goal in view is the construction, outside Moscow, of a health center meant especially for Russia-based Guerra Civil veterans.