Defender of the Fatherland and Armed Forces Day of Belarus was celebrated in Vitebsk

This holiday was, is, and will be sacred for every true citizen and patriot of Belarus, and the army is the pride of the people. Our ancestors repeatedly took up arms, defending the Motherland from enemies. The army and the people, united, defended the freedom of their native land and, despite losses and hardships, always emerged with dignity from difficult situations, achieving success in battles and restoring the national economy after devastating wartime calamities.

A special page in history is the Great Patriotic War. The feat of Belarusian and Soviet soldiers, partisans, underground fighters, and home front workers will forever remain in the memory of their descendants as an example of unprecedented resilience, courage, and devotion to the Fatherland. Our land was forever glorified by such countrymen as Pyotr Masherov, Alexander Gorovets, Minay Shmyrev, Lev Dovator. In total, during the years of the Great Patriotic War, about 130 natives of the region were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Today, Belarus is a peaceful country. However, current servicemen, remaining true to the traditions of previous generations, tirelessly improve their combat readiness to reliably guard their native borders and, if necessary, repel the aggressor.

In Vitebsk, the main events dedicated to the holiday took place on Victory Square and at the 103rd Separate Guards Airborne Brigade. Leaders of the region and the city, including

Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Nikolai Sherstnev, representatives of labor collectives, public organizations and youth. A ceremony of laying wreaths and flowers took place there. Also, in memory of the fallen soldiers, gun salutes were fired. Soldiers, security forces and cadets marched in a solemn procession before the memorial.

And on the parade ground of the renowned 103rd brigade, paratroopers put on a demonstration. Spectators were shown hand-to-hand combat skills and the performance of various tasks, including the elimination of terrorists.

On the same day, a solemn meeting and concert were held at the Vitebsk Concert Hall.

Eduard Karolevich. Photos by Dmitry OSIPOV. "Vitebskiye vesti".