In Vitebsk, they honored the memory of internationalist soldiers

The Day of the Withdrawal of Troops from Afghanistan is both a celebration for those who were fortunate 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 and orphans left without husbands and fathers.

— Those events are a special page in the history of Vitebsk region. At the forefront of the Soviet troops that entered that distant country were servicemen of the 103rd Guards Airborne Division and pilots of the 339th Military Transport Aviation Regiment stationed here. Therefore, the first death notices began to arrive in our land, — said Valerian Matskevich, Chairman of the regional organization of the Belarusian Union of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan. — February 15 is not just a meeting of fellow soldiers who fought together, but also a tribute to the fallen comrades who died bravely while performing their international duty. We also visit cemeteries and relatives of the deceased during this time.

On the anniversary of the troop withdrawal, rallies and laying of wreaths and flowers at memorials to internationalist soldiers were held in each district of the region. In Vitebsk, the traditional meeting place for "Afghan veterans", combatants, families of the fallen, representatives of labor collectives and public organizations was the monument "Pain". The event was attended by Vladimir Terentyev, Head of the Regional Council of Deputies.

— No matter how many years have passed since the Afghan events, we will always remember what the internationalist soldiers did and tell about their feats to the younger generation, — emphasized Vladimir Vladimirovich. — They carried out the tasks set before them with dignity and honor, defending the interests of the state, sacrificing their lives and health.

The memory of the fallen defenders of the Fatherland was honored with a minute of silence and gun salutes.

Another significant event was the unveiling on February 15 in the regional center of a memorial plaque to Lieutenant, navigator-pilot Sergey Chernyshev, who died while performing his international duty in Afghanistan. The ceremony took place at building No. 2 of the Vitebsk State Technological College branch of BSTU on 1st Velikolukskaya Street. Previously, Secondary School No. 12, where the Afghan war veteran studied, was located in this building.

— After receiving his basic education, he entered Vocational School No. 96, and after graduating, he got a job as an assembly fitter at a television plant, — reported Petr Podgursky, Deputy Chairman of the City Executive Committee. — At the same time, he attended the Vitebsk Aviation Training Center, and after serving in the army, he went to the Syzran Higher Military Aviation School for Pilots.

Sergey Chernyshev served in Afghanistan for less than a month (from August 28 to September 20, 1982), but during this time he made about 20 combat sorties. For his courage and heroism, he was awarded the Order of the Red Star, the medals "For Courage" and "To the Internationalist Warrior from a Grateful Afghan People".

Sergey Ivanovich's widow, Lyubov Chernysheva, attended the event. She emphasized that the pain of loss does not fade with the years. The family of the deceased was helped to cope with the difficulties by his fellow soldiers and people who were not indifferent to the grief of others.

"VV" Reference:

February 15 is observed as the Day of Remembrance of Internationalist Warriors in Belarus. In 1989, on this day, the last Soviet soldier crossed the bridge over the border river Amu Darya near Termez, marking the completion of the withdrawal of the limited contingent of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. The hostilities lasted more than 9 years and are considered the longest in the 20th century.

In modern history, that war is often referred to as the first anti-terrorist operation. A total of over 30,000 Belarusians passed through the fiery roads of "Afghanistan"; 800 of them did not return home – some were killed, others are still considered missing.

Eduard Karolevich. Photos by Anton STEPANISHCHEV. "Vitebskiye Vesti".