In the current conscription campaign, more than 100 people will serve in the reserve for the first time

But all that will come later. And last Wednesday, they still stood in formation with their commanders and comrades. But this time, the formation was a solemn one, held on the main square of the regional center – Victory Square. And the heroes of the celebration were they, the guardsmen of the 103rd Separate Mobile Brigade of the Special Operations Forces, who had honestly fulfilled their military duty and were now being discharged into the reserve.

After the Colors of the formation were brought out, the brigade commander, Guards Colonel Vladimir Bely, spoke words of gratitude to his subordinates who had served their terms. The rally also featured speeches by Valeryan Matskevich, chairman of the regional organization of "Afghan" veterans, and Ivan Burlaka, a veteran of the airborne forces. Father Alexander, the rector of the Church of the Prophet Elijah, blessed the servicemen being discharged into the reserve for a prosperous civilian life. The leitmotif of the speeches was concepts such as courage, brotherhood, and mutual assistance. “There are no former paratroopers; this title must be honored, cherished, and one must always be ready not only to defend the Fatherland but also to protect loved ones and the weak”, – their senior comrades advised the demobilized soldiers.

Sergeant Vyacheslav Karpechenko, speaking on behalf of the honored guests, thanked the commanders for a good life school, noting that military service is a kind of quality mark, and every man should remember this.

During their active service, the soldiers being discharged to the reserve mastered many types of equipment and weapons, participated in a number of exercises and field training, and performed parachute jumps from both helicopters and military transport aircraft. By order of the unit commander, more than 80 guardsmen were commended on this day, and some were awarded next military ranks. More than ten servicemen decided to remain in the brigade for further contract service.

– Tomorrow I will already be home, in my native Lepel, – Dmitry Ivanovsky shared with me. – But I will never forget my army service or my friends. Here I mastered the specialty of a driver-mechanic, and I will often remember my parachute jumps. I have an education, so I might go to work at a school.

Denis Kuchinsky, a senior gunner, rose to the rank of sergeant major. Those with whom he has shared many experiences remain in the unit that has become like family. In civilian life, according to the paratrooper, he will miss them. He is expected in Polotsk; after a short rest, he will return to work as a welder at the enterprise from which he was drafted into the army.

– I don't understand those guys who dodge the army, – said Denis Pchelkin. – I'm taking only positive memories to the Liozno district. My plans are to enter the agricultural academy to study and start a family – my beloved girl has waited for me...

The moment came to bid farewell to the Battle Banner, and silence descended upon Victory Square. The soldiers being discharged to the reserve knelt before the main army symbol. And a minute later, to the sounds of the military band performing the march “Farewell of Slavianka”, the guardsmen who had served their terms marched in solemn procession for the last time.

A day later, on May 15, the first conscripts arrived at the assembly point of the regional military commissariat. Teams totaling about 150 people will be sent for active military service to the 103rd Guards Separate Mobile Brigade, border service agencies, and military units of the KGB. In total, during the spring conscription period, almost 1300 young men from the Vitebsk region will don military uniforms.

Vitaly Kapusta (pictured) is one of them. A native of Beshenkovichi district, he graduated from the Smolensk Economic Institute. He is going to the army with a desire to serve, he always dreamed of joining the elite troops. He hopes that the 103rd Separate Mobile Brigade, where Vitaly will serve, will become his second home for the upcoming year. His family and friends believe in this.

A feature of this conscription campaign is that for the first time, citizens will be sent to serve in the reserve. As reported by the head of the military conscription department of the regional military commissariat, Colonel Oleg Poznyak, over 100 people fell into this category in this conscription.

Artur Mateyun, "Vitebskiye vesti"