The 77th anniversary of the breakthrough of the enemy blockade by partisans of the Polotsk-Lepel zone was celebrated in the Ushachi district
Each region of Belarus, in addition to Victory Day, has its own memorable date in the history of the Great Patriotic War. In Ushachi, this is the greatest battle, during which the partisans managed to break out of the enemy encirclement and evacuate 15,000 civilians. This battle entered the military chronicle as an example of courage, resilience, and patriotism.
The partisan republic, with Ushachi as its unofficial capital, was a constant thorn in the side of the occupiers. The unconquered territory – the Polotsk-Lepel partisan zone – covered an area of over three thousand square kilometers, encompassing 1,220 settlements and a population of about 80,000 people. The Nazis made numerous attempts to clear their rear of the people's avengers, but without success. In the spring of 1944, over 60,000 enemy soldiers were concentrated on the borders of the partisan zone, and on April 11, one of the largest punitive operations in the entire history of the Great Patriotic War began. For twenty-five days, 17,000 partisans repelled the onslaught of the Nazis, and on the night of May 4-5, the blockade was broken. Such powerful resistance to the occupiers became a real contribution to the defeat of fascism and the liberation of Belarus.
In the summer of 1974, the memorial complex "Proryv" (Breakthrough) was erected at this legendary site. It is designed so that visitors walk along the same path, in the same direction, as the partisans broke out of the encirclement. At the upper level is a mass grave where over 450 people's avengers who died during the breakthrough of the enemy blockade are buried. The memorial plaques immortalize the names of over 1,500 soldiers of the Red Army and civilians who perished in the fierce battles.
"Time passes – memory remains with us" – under this motto, festive events were held. They began in the center of Ushachi – on Lenin Square. An exhibition of aircraft and car models, as well as weapons, was set up here. Those who wished could test their marksmanship at a mobile shooting range, and also demonstrate their knowledge of the history of the Great Patriotic War in a quiz.
The chairperson of the district council of deputies, Natalia Markovich, addressed the attendees of the celebration:
– Ushachi sacredly preserves the memory of the heroic history of its native land. Heroes, participants, and eyewitnesses of those years are passing away, but there is something that time cannot conquer – memory. It is gratitude for peace and freedom, for the opportunity to raise children and not fear for their future. It is a warning – this must never happen again! The courage and greatness of our veterans inspire us to creative activities for the benefit of people and the prosperity of our republic.
The celebration continued at the "Proryv" (Breakthrough) memorial complex. This is where the track and field race and the motor rally, which involved students and young workers, concluded. Every year, according to a long-standing tradition, descendants of those who watered this land with their blood come here to this sacred height.
The rally was attended by the chairman of the regional executive committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, the President's Aide – Inspector for the Vitebsk Region, Anatoly Linevich, representatives of labor collectives, public organizations, and residents of the district.
– Every year on this day, we gather to honor the memory of the civilians and partisans who, on the night of May 5, under the command of Hero of the Soviet Union Colonel Vladimir Lobanok, led more than 15,000 civilians out of encirclement. The significance of this feat cannot be overestimated. With the deepest respect, we bow our heads to those who selflessly brought Victory Day closer. Their example obliges us to strengthen the defense capability and sovereignty of Belarus. The Great Victory is a lesson in the cohesion and unity of peoples in confronting violence and enslavement, – emphasized the head of the region.
On this memorable day, Demyan Krupenya also visited the memorial. He was among those who broke through the enemy blockade in May 1944. Today, he says, he lives for himself and for those guys who forever remained in the Ushachi land. The former partisan returns to the events of 77 years ago in his paintings. The pain of war is soothed by the rustling of birch trees, the tranquility of lakes, and the beauty of his native land, which the amateur artist captures on his canvases.
– We will never cease to admire the courage of our countrymen who went through the hellish fire of war. Everything they did for the Motherland will not be forgotten. This is a great legacy for new generations who are building an independent sovereign Belarus, reaching labor heights, and solving difficult tasks at the present stage, the most important of which is preserving peace, – noted the Chairman of the Ushachi District Executive Committee, Vladimir Avdoshko.
Until the evening, songs of the war years sounded at the memorial, and thematic sites "Partisan Halt," "Medical Battalion," and "Field Post" were operating.
"Vitebskiye Vesti".