A rally and a solemn wreath-laying ceremony with the participation of the regional and city leadership, military formations, and the public took place in Vitebsk at Victory Square.
The country honors its defenders. Those who defended its interests during the formation of Soviet power, the hardships of the Great Patriotic War, and in local conflicts. Events dedicated to the defenders of the Fatherland and the 95th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus began their procession across the region on the eve of the holiday – February 21. In particular, in the regional center, wreaths were laid at the sites of military burials on Titov Street, on Uspenskaya Hill, and at the mass grave of Soviet soldiers in the Luchosa district.
A rally and a solemn wreath-laying ceremony with the participation of the leadership of the region, city, military formations, and the public took place in Vitebsk on Victory Square.
In an address to those gathered to honor the memory of the fallen and express respect for the current generation of the country's guardians, the following words were heard:
-- Our grandfathers and fathers during the Great Patriotic War mercilessly routed the enemy near Moscow and Kaliningrad, at the Kursk Bulge, during the liberation of Belarus and Eastern European countries. In fierce battles at the walls of the Brest Fortress, near Orsha and Mogilev, in the first stage of the war, the enemy felt the strength of the Red Army. The feat of partisans and underground fighters who defended the Fatherland's independence in the struggle against fascism will forever remain in the people's memory. The feat of the Soviet soldier is immortal. It was they – the fallen and the living, known and unknown – who stood to the death in defense. Victory was achieved at a great price. Vitebsk region lost every third inhabitant. The names of local heroes have forever glorified our region: Lev Dovator, Alexander Gorovets, Petr Masherov, Minay Shmyrev, Alexey Danukalov, Konstantin Zaslonov…
The Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, noted that this is a national holiday, associated primarily with morality, upbringing, and patriotism. And, despite the fact that the holiday is called a men's holiday, it is directly related to the fair sex as well. After all, many women wear shoulder straps, and how many provide a reliable rear. However, even little children today can accept congratulations, because our future is in their hands.
– The brightest feelings on this day are pride for our Motherland, for our people, the Armed Forces, and territorial defense. We are a peace-loving state, -- emphasized Alexander Nikolaevich, -- our military doctrine is solely related to the defense of the country. We feel the strength capable of ensuring a prosperous state and protecting the peaceful labor of our people. I congratulate all people, and first and foremost, the veterans of the Great Patriotic War! It is they who defended the peaceful sky above us. They gave us the opportunity to live and create. We also pay tribute to the internationalist soldiers. Our people and the army are united.
Soldiers of Vitebsk marched in a solemn procession across the main square of the city. Artillery guns saluted the defenders of the Fatherland with a festive volley. Then, a solemn assembly and a festive concert took place in the "Vitebsk" concert hall.