The Rossony and Polotsk districts were included in the route of the historical and patriotic St. Petersburg delegation's tour of the places of military glory of Russia and Belarus

The motorcade of buses and cars was met on the Rossony land, immediately after the border with Russia. The guests were slightly delayed due to a snowstorm that caught them on the road, and Belarus welcomed them with the sun peeking out, cheerful songs, and warm words, which were spoken by the chairman of the district executive committee, Alexander Shubsky, as the host. After accepting bread and salt from the head of the district, the delegation set off for Klyastitsy.

The Russian expedition, which included the heads of 5 municipalities of the Petrogradsky district of the northern capital, deputies, veterans of military service and labor, teachers and schoolchildren (more than 90 people in total), had originally planned a stop in this agro-town. Klyastitsy and St. Petersburg are connected by the history of two wars – the Patriotic War of 1812 and the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

More than 200 years ago, a fierce battle took place here, in which the St. Petersburg militia, created by Kutuzov, received its baptism of fire, and together with the active army, achieved victory over the French and stopped the enemy's advance on the capital of the Russian Empire.

The Battle of Klyastitsy entered the annals of the combat exploits of Russian troops; Major General Yakov Kulnev, who died for the Fatherland, distinguished himself here. The exposition of the local school museum, which is known not only in our republic but also far beyond its borders, tells about these events.

Many St. Petersburg soldiers died liberating Belarus during the Great Patriotic War, and natives of Rossony region died bravely in battles for Russian cities. Today, two people live in Klyastitsy who experienced the blockade of Leningrad as children.

– Every time we come to Belarus, we note with what respect your country treats history, the feat of the people who defended their country from both the French and the fascists, – noted the chairman of the Council of Veterans of the Petrogradsky District of St. Petersburg, Major General Viktor Shcherbakov.

Viktor

Ivanovich himself has visited the Vitebsk region many times, including Klyastitsy, and brought delegations from Russia here. It was he who initiated the current patriotic event dedicated to the 72nd anniversary of the victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War.

– This is our ninth trip to historical sites in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. In the year of the 70th anniversary of the start of the Great Patriotic War, we were in Brest; this time, we decided to visit Klyastitsy, Polotsk, Khatyn, Minsk, and see the "Line of Stalin" and the Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War, – said Viktor Shcherbakov.

The delegation, as its leader emphasized, included the most worthy – students who have distinguished themselves: they wrote patriotic poems, conducted museum tours, and worked as volunteers. After the trip, they will speak at their educational institutions and share their impressions. Among the first will be a story about meeting peers on the hospitable Rossony land.

At the rally, which took place at the memorial complex dedicated to the Patriotic Wars of 1812 and 1941-45, Alexander Shubsky spoke about the Rossony region, the district center, which will celebrate its 465th anniversary this year, about awarding the urban settlement with a pennant for courage and resilience shown during the Great Patriotic War, and about preserving historical memory.

The head of the Russian delegation, Viktor Shcherbakov, presented the head of the district with a letter of gratitude from the Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg, Vyacheslav Makarov, which notes the contribution of local authorities to the development of friendly relations between Belarus and Russia.

The next stop for the members of the patriotic expedition was Polotsk, where they visited memorable places of the ancient Belarusian city, marked their presence at the sign indicating the center of Europe, and took part in a rally on Freedom Square.

Tatyana Pasternak. Photo by Anton STEPANISHCHEV. "Vitebskiye Vesti".