A rally-requiem in memory of the fallen internationalist soldiers was held in Vitebsk
30 years ago, the last Soviet soldier crossed the bridge of the border river Amu Darya near Termez – the withdrawal of the limited contingent of Soviet troops from Afghanistan was completed. Combat operations lasted over 9 years and are considered the longest in the 20th century.
In modern historiography, that war is often referred to as the first anti-terrorist operation. February 15 is not just a meeting of fellow soldiers who fought together, but also an opportunity to pay tribute to combat comrades who fell while performing their international duty.
— The Day of Withdrawal of Troops from Afghanistan is both a celebration for those who were lucky enough to return home alive, and a day of mourning for the fallen. This war will forever remain in the history of our country, as it is written in the blood of hundreds of Belarusian soldiers, the tears of mothers, widows, and orphans who lost their sons, husbands, and fathers, — said Valerian Matskevich, Chairman of the regional organization of the Belarusian Union of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan. — Those events are a special page in the chronicle of our region. At the forefront of the Soviet troops entering that distant country were servicemen of the 103rd Guards Airborne Division and pilots of the 339th Military Transport Aviation Regiment stationed in the Vitebsk region, and the first death notices began to arrive on our land.
On the anniversary of the troop withdrawal, rally-requiems, wreath-laying ceremonies, and flower-laying ceremonies at memorials to internationalist soldiers were held in every district of the region.
In Vitebsk, the traditional meeting place for combatants, families of the fallen, representatives of labor collectives, and public organizations was the monument "Pain".
Several dozen veterans of the Afghan war gathered at the memorial. Representatives of regional and city authorities were also present at the event.
Servicemen of the 103rd Separate Guards Airborne Brigade carried portraits of our countrymen who died in Afghanistan. All heroes were named.
— No matter how many years have passed since the Afghan events, we will always remember what the internationalist soldiers did and be proud of their feats. Soviet troops left the Central Asian country with flying colors and a sense of duty fulfilled, — said **Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies Vladimir Terentyev**. — They carried out the tasks set before them with dignity and honor, defending the interests of the state, sacrificing their lives and health. Two of our countrymen, Vasily Pimenov and Vasily Shcherbakov, were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, and over 1,500 were awarded orders and medals. 160 representatives from the Vitebsk region died "across the river," and another 1,200 died from psychological and physical trauma sustained in the post-war years. The names of those who did not return from the battlefields will forever remain in our hearts.
Vladimir Vladimirovich also emphasized that today internationalists are a reliable support for the authorities in the patriotic education of youth and the social protection of soldiers and officers and their families.
— Our state does a lot for internationalist soldiers, it does not forget its heroes. And this care is not limited to material assistance. Members of the public organization of "Afghan" veterans are still active, working with the younger generation and participating in the socio-political life of the country, — emphasized **Military Commissar of the Region Ruslan Shkodin**. — Sometimes people talk about the futility of that war. But we know that the soldiers who went to Afghanistan had no choice, they followed orders. And they did it excellently.
The memory of the fallen was honored with a minute of silence, and gun salutes were fired in their honor.
Alongside the men, women warriors and civilian specialists served "across the river".
— Today, many guests from Belarus and abroad have gathered in Vitebsk. Looking at the large turnout at the rally, I understand that the memory of the fallen internationalists is alive in our souls, their sacrifices were not in vain, — noted senior sergeant of the reserve, head of the women's council of the city organization "Brotherhood" of the Belarusian Union of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan Maria Kiyanko. — We continue to meet with fellow servicemen, remember fallen comrades, and also carry out patriotic work, because the future of Belarus lies with the youth.