A memorial plaque in memory of the internationalist soldier Stepan Mlyavy was unveiled in Chashniki
The location was not chosen by chance: Stepan Petrovich was a graduate of this educational institution (then Secondary School No. 2). After graduating from school, he worked at the construction of the Lukomlskaya GRES, and in 1971, he passed external exams for the full course of the secondary military school of navigators at the Chelyabinsk Higher Military Aviation School of Navigators. Since then, his life has been connected with military service.
In Afghanistan, Stepan Mlyavy served as a navigator in a Mi-6 helicopter unit from December 1984. In less than six months, he made almost 120 sorties, transporting ammunition, fuel, food, and landing paratroopers in designated areas.
He died when an Afghan plane, attempting to land on the runway of Pul-i-Khumri airport, lost control and crashed into Captain Mlyavy's helicopter. Stepan Petrovich was posthumously awarded the Orders of the Red Star and the Red Banner.
As informed by the chairman of the district executive committee, Leonid Pleshko, six out of 115 internationalist soldiers from Chashnichchina did not return home. The installed memorial plaque is a token of remembrance for an entire generation of people who honorably fulfilled their duty to the Motherland, defended it in all armed conflicts, and remain an example of courage for future generations.
Stepan Mlyavy's relatives were particularly moved by the event. His son Andrey, also a serviceman, said that the pain of losing his father has not subsided to this day. For him and his family, the unveiling of the memorial plaque signifies not only the immortalization of their loved one's name but also a tribute to all who died in the line of military duty.
– I would like to thank all the concerned people who provided feasible assistance, including representatives of local authorities, public associations, and the administration of the Chashniki Gymnasium, – noted Andrey Mlyavy.
After the solemn ceremony, a lesson of courage was held at the gymnasium, where internationalist soldiers shared their memories with the schoolchildren and expressed their wish that the younger generation would grow up under a peaceful sky.