In Vitebsk, more than 400 servicemen have been sent for demobilization

At Victory Square in Vitebsk, the 103rd Guards Separate Mobile Special Operations Brigade traditionally and solemnly saw off servicemen who had completed their terms of service into the reserve.

At the rally of the guardsmen, Colonel **Vladimir Bely**, the brigade commander, congratulated those being discharged into the reserve. 114 servicemen were commended for their conscientious fulfillment of military duty. The majority of them participated in two international tactical exercises this year alone, and there were also other training and combat missions during which the paratroopers demonstrated high combat proficiency.

Veterans of the airborne forces, Deputy Head of the Administration of the Oktyabrsky District of Vitebsk **Anatoly Kondratovich**, and Chairman of the regional organization of veterans of the war in Afghanistan **Valerian Matskevich**, urged the warriors being discharged into the reserve to always remain true to the motto of the "winged infantry" – "Nobody but us." And the clergyman **Father Alexander** wished the young people "not to get lost in civilian life" and to find their place as soon as possible to continue doing good for the benefit of the Fatherland.

And how do the guardsmen themselves, being discharged into the reserve, assess the time devoted to service?

– Before the army, I graduated from the Zhlobin Metallurgical College and managed to work in my specialty. I'll rest a bit and return to my work collective, – says **Sergeant Vladimir Lavrenov, deputy commander of a mortar platoon**. – Serving, especially in elite troops, is prestigious today. We tested ourselves for strength, everyone found out what they were worth.

Private Valery Tikhonovich

is originally from Berezino, Minsk region. Before his service, he obtained the specialty of a metro builder and worked in the capital.

– The army helped me make a choice about my future life, I decided to serve in the security forces, – the guy shared his plans. – I only regret that I didn't manage to make a parachute jump for reasons beyond my control. But that's okay, everything is still ahead…

But private Dmitry Kovalev, like the vast majority of his fellow soldiers, successfully passed the test of the sky.

– I will always remember my army friends, my service in the glorious unit, – he says. – Here we became real men, we understood many unwritten laws that cannot be changed in life.

Returning to civilian life, he dreams of meeting his love, starting a family, and finding a good, well-paid job.

…The soldiers bow their heads before the battle flags of the 103rd Guards Separate Mobile Brigade, and then, to the sounds of the march "Farewell of Slavianka," they march in a solemn procession for the last time. Goodbye, army! Hello, civilian life! May you have a fair wind in it, "demobels"!

Artur Mateyun. Photo by Dmitry Osipov. "Vitebskiye Vesti".