The restoration of the "Breakthrough" memorial in the Ushachy district could become a nationwide construction project

A correspondent for "SB Belarus Segodnya" visited the "Proryv" (Breakthrough) memorial complex and inquired about the progress of its reconstruction.

Towering concrete block walls, as tall as a 2-story building. Between them stands a 7-meter bronze figure of a partisan with a submachine gun in his hand. This is the "Proryv" memorial complex, located 10 kilometers from the urban-type settlement of Ushachi in the Vitebsk region.

The majestic monument, included in the State List of Historical and Cultural Values of Belarus, has long become a landmark. War veterans gather here, participants of international car and running races stop by, and newlyweds visit.

However, the monument – a symbol of the courage and resilience of the partisans – is under threat of destruction. In the autumn of last year, a part of the concrete facing of one of the blocks collapsed. Specialists from Polotsk State University partially examined them and concluded that the internal metal frame requires complete replacement.

"Proryv" was opened in 1974, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders. At that time, distinguished guests gathered here – partisans for whom the forests and swamps of Ushachi had become a home during the war. Among the people's avengers was Alexey Alekseenok, a liaison officer of the Lobanok brigade.

Alexey Maksimovich, a 91-year-old resident of Ushachi, responded businesslike, in a military manner, to my request to visit the memorial and recall the events of early May 1944:

— They sent the submachine gunners and machine gunners forward then – to break through the enemy defenses. Everything was boiling, burning. Behind us was the civilian population. We took up defensive positions in the pine forest and opened fire on the fascist chain. Their tank emerged from the bushes and fired point-blank – what a shot! So many young people fell there... I always come to "Proryv" on May 9th. I used to meet many partisan comrades. Now, practically none are left.

Marina Drozd, director of the Ushachi Museum of People's Glory named after Hero of the Soviet Union Vladimir Lobanok, of which "Proryv" is a branch, said that excursions to the memorial are among the most popular with local and foreign tourists:

— We send organized groups of schoolchildren there. Passports are presented there, they are accepted into the Pioneers. Relatives of fallen partisans come. From Belarus and from abroad. Usually from Russia.

Today, there are no visible traces of collapse at the memorial, which is visited by thousands of guests annually. They have been carefully repaired. But corrosion continues to eat away at the metal frame of the blocks. The concrete is cracked...

A regional headquarters for the preparation of the memorial's reconstruction has been established. It held one of its meetings in Ushachi. In February, deputies of the Vitebsk Regional Council voted to include the memorial complex in the regional investment program. This, emphasizes Olga Zakharchenko, Chairperson of the Ushachi District Council of Deputies, is a legal basis for financing the reconstruction of "Proryv" from the budget:

— The design development alone will cost about 1 billion rubles. And this is only a tenth of the amount that may be needed for repairs. Unfortunately, we cannot find such funds in our district. In addition, the Lobanok Museum also requires serious repairs. Its design has already been prepared.

The complexity lies in the fact that the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Victory in Ushachi is planned to be held at "Proryv". According to specialists, the situation with the blocks hanging over the passage is not catastrophic. However, a full inspection is necessary there. Some repairs need to be done. And the May 9th celebrations will most likely be possible.

Then the memorial will be closed for major reconstruction. It is planned that the project will be prepared by June. And then - repairs of the blocks, the partisan sculpture, and significant landscaping. It is possible that the work will take more than one year. In addition to budget financing, a charitable account has also been opened in Ushachi, according to Olga Zakharchenko:

— We believe that everyone must take care of preserving the memory of our heroic past together. And turn the reconstruction of "Proryv" into a nationwide construction project. To collect funds in our district, we intend to hold subbotniks (volunteer workdays). The regional structures of the BRSM and the Peace Fund have promised to help us. We will be grateful to everyone - public organizations, enterprises, ordinary people - who respond to our request.

Charity account for fundraising for the restoration of the "Breakthrough" memorial complex: account No. 3132430190015 in the settlement and cash center No. 37 of Ushaсhi village, JSC "Belagroprombank" — Vitebsk regional department, MFO 150801424, UNP 300006937, recipient — state enterprise "UKS of Ushaсhi District".

"SB" Reference: The "Breakthrough" memorial complex was opened on June 30, 1974, at the site of the breakthrough of the fascist blockade ring by partisans of the Polotsk-Lepel zone. In the spring of 1944, the invaders decided to put an end to the people's avengers in their rear. Against 17,000 partisans, they threw 60,000 punitive troops, supported by aviation, tanks, artillery, and armored trains. However, on the night of May 4-5, the partisans defeated the enemy garrisons in the villages of Paperino and Novoye Selo and led 16,000 civilians out of the encirclement with them.

450 people's avengers are buried in a mass grave at "Breakthrough". The names of 1,717 fallen soldiers are immortalized on its memorial plaques. 16 oak trees are also planted here, symbolizing the resilience of the 16 partisan brigades.

The authors of the memorial are sculptor Anatoly Anikeyсhik, architects Yuri Gradov and Leonid Levin.

Sergey Golesnik, SB Belarus Today