The regional patriotic event "Breakthrough of Victory" brought together representatives of different generations from Belarus and Russia in Ushachi

Fierce battles took place here on the night of May 4-5, 1944, which went down in the history of the Great Patriotic War as an example of the heroism and courage of the defenders of their country.

Surrounded by an enemy ring, partisan brigades operating in the territory occupied by German fascist troops broke out together with 15,000 civilians from the encirclement, maintaining their combat capability, and continued to fight the occupiers until they joined forces with the advancing Red Army units.

In 1974, during the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from German fascist invaders, the memorial complex "Breakthrough" was solemnly opened in commemoration of the feat of the partisans of the Polotsk-Lepel zone. Bronze plates are installed on the memorial field, on which the names of 1450 partisans who died during the blockade and directly during the breakthrough of the fascist encirclement are immortalized. This initial list is replenished with new names year after year.

The majestic monument of a partisan with a submachine gun in his hands, who broke through the enemy wall of encirclement, symbolizes resilience, courage, and heroism. The memorial is included in the State List of Historical and Cultural Values of the Republic of Belarus.

The emotional prologue to the celebration was the reenactment of events from 82 years ago.

– The main lessons of our Victory are the lessons of cohesion and unity of peoples in confronting violence and aggression, – noted the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Rogozhnik, at a rally in honor of the memorable date. – For those living in peacetime, the feat of the partisans serves as an example of courage. An unbending will to win, the ability to overcome any difficulties, selfless love for one's land – all this should become a guide for the current generation. The memory of those tragic days lives in our hearts. The significance of the feat is impossible to overestimate.

Eight decades after the bloody war, the theme of peace is more relevant than ever, the head of the region emphasized. Today, we face new challenges – to make a breakthrough in economic sectors, to make a worthy and feasible contribution to the development of the region.

For the third time, 97-year-old Great Patriotic War veteran Roman Pribyshchuk has come to this sacred place from Polotsk. He also began fighting in a partisan detachment, and later served as a scout.

– I am overwhelmed with emotions, I remember the first days of the war and the Victory. I have never seen people cry from joy, – shares Roman Romanovich his memories.

The car rally "For a United Belarus", organized by the regional organization "Patriots of Belarus", was dedicated to the "Breakthrough of Victory". Its participants started at Victory Square in Vitebsk, visited the Obil Museum of Komsomol Underground, the Museum of People's Glory named after Hero of the Soviet Union Vladimir Lobanok in Ushachi, and arrived at the memorial complex in a festive procession.

A regional stage performance competition "May Wind" was timed to coincide with the significant date. Visitors could explore themed areas and photo zones, and taste soldiers' cuisine.

The celebrations at the memorial complex concluded with a performance by the exemplary orchestra of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.

Vitebsk News