A monument to the Afghan War soldiers of the 9th Motor Battalion was unveiled in Vetrino, Polotsk district
In 1986, the 9th Automobile Battalion, stationed in the military town near Vetrino, was sent in its entirety – 205 men and 120 vehicles – to perform service tasks in Afghanistan. Its combat record includes about 2 million km driven on mountain roads shot at from all sides, over 34 million tons of cargo transported, ensuring the life support of the 40th Army. For their courage and heroism, more than a hundred servicemen of the battalion were awarded orders and medals, and four were posthumously awarded the Order of the Red Star.
Private Yuri Gritskov died when his vehicle caught fire after being hit by a grenade. Before his death, he managed to direct the burning vehicle into a ravine, clearing the road for the moving convoy. This act saved the lives of many fellow soldiers.
Private Evgeny Anikeenko died heroically while firing continuously from an anti-aircraft gun mounted on a vehicle. During the battle, he destroyed over 30 Dushman fighters. A convoy, designated 0011, was named after him, and a KAMAZ truck bearing his name is still in service today, transporting cargo and ensuring the life support of the Armed Forces of Belarus.
Junior Sergeant Alexander Fedorov died 40 kilometers from Kabul from a direct hit from a grenade launcher to his vehicle.
Private Oleg Shtelmah directed his damaged vehicle into a ravine, clearing the road for others.
The names of these soldiers are now immortalized on the monument erected near the Vetrino House of Culture. The details of the sculptural composition, created by specialists from ODO "Mastak-servis," depict symbols of the Afghan War: an armored shield used to protect vehicle engines, mountain outlines, a combat helmet, and black tulips.
The initiative to erect the memorial sign came from the council of the Polotsk district organization of Afghanistan war veterans. For assistance in fundraising and carrying out the work, the organization's chairman, Fyodor Yeskov, expressed sincere gratitude to the internationalist soldiers living in the Polotsk region, the servicemen of the Polotsk border detachment headed by its chief, Colonel Pavel Kharchenko, the management of the Novopolotsk plant of technological metal structures, OJSC "Tekhnolit", "Naftan", and the "Polimir" plant.
Former servicemen of the 9th battalion arrived to honor the memory of their combat friends at the solemn requiem rally. The event was attended by representatives of the executive authorities and the deputy corps, "Afghan" veterans, servicemen of the border detachment, residents of the settlement, students and teachers of the Polotsk Cadet School, Vetrin Secondary School named after D. Tyabut, and the Polotsk State Lyceum of Agricultural Production.
– On the eve of the 30th anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, – said the chairman of the Polotsk District Council of Deputies, Iosif Gribovich, – we pay tribute to the people who fulfilled their duty to the Motherland. The feat of the internationalist soldiers will forever remain in our hearts. Veterans of combat operations are a living example of heroism, civic spirit, and patriotism for the youth. We are deeply grateful to them for their active stance and significant contribution to the public life of the Polotsk region.
The rally concluded with the laying of flowers and a ceremonial march of the border detachment servicemen.