Vitebsk Commemorates Day of Remembrance of Internationalist Soldiers
The date of February 15, 1989, when the last units of Soviet troops withdrew from Afghanistan, is inscribed in the country's history as a day of both joy and sorrow. It is a celebration with tears in their eyes, tears that have not dried in the passing decades.
Every year, on a frosty February day, people gather at the memorial on Voinev-Internatsionalistov Street. The name of the monument – "Pain" – is very symbolic. With pain in their hearts, veterans recall their experiences; strong men who endured terrible trials can hardly hold back a lump in their throats.
– For us, the Afghan war is a source of pride and pain. Pride for having honorably fulfilled our duty and done our job as men with dignity. This is recognized by state awards. Two natives of the Vitebsk region – Vasily Shcherbakov and Vasily Pimenov – were awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union. And pain for the loss of friends. 160 of our countrymen died in Afghanistan, and about 1.5 thousand people who returned to the Motherland have passed away due to the consequences of the war. Today, we bow our heads to the mothers and widows, – noted the chairman of the regional organization of the Belarusian Union of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan, retired Lieutenant Colonel Valerian Matskevich.
The rally at the monument to the internationalist soldiers was attended by Irina Levkovich, a member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, the leadership of Vitebsk, representatives of state structures, public organizations, youth, and residents of the regional center. The most honorable place was occupied by the veterans of the Afghan war.
– Vitebsk was the first to send soldiers and officers of the 103rd Guards Airborne Division and pilots of the 339th Military Transport Aviation Regiment to Afghanistan, and the first death notices from that distant country also came to our city. Today, the Afghan veterans pass on the torch of patriotism and combat brotherhood to the younger generation, teaching them by their example to be responsible for the fate of the Fatherland, – emphasized the chairman of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee, Alexey Geroev.
– I was among the first four crews to master the legendary Il-76 at the 339th Aviation Regiment in Vitebsk. For ten years, we delivered paratroopers and ammunition to Afghanistan on this aircraft. The heaviest cargo was "Cargo 200" – zinc coffins with the deceased, which we transported from Afghanistan to various parts of the Soviet Union, – recalls retired Lieutenant Colonel **Nikolai Stativko**.
Vitebsk cadets lined up with portraits of soldiers who did not return from the Afghan war. Many of them connect their future lives with the army. **Alexander Shlakhtunov**, whose uncle, paratrooper **Vladimir Pilipenko**, participated in combat operations, dreams of exchanging cadet epaulets for officer ones.
At the rally, all those who did not return from battle were remembered by name. The mournful list includes 160 names, which resonated with pain in the hearts of all who came to honor the memory of the soldiers who fulfilled their international duty.