For the Urals residents, this trip is part of a long-term project to return the names of fallen soldiers to their native land. As Lyubov Vatrіna, Deputy Chairperson of the Artinsky Veterans Organization, explained, 15,000 people from the Artinsky district went to the front, and 6,000 of them did not return.

"Our main goal is to preserve historical memory. We are engaged in searching for burial sites and hand over a handful of earth from their ancestors' graves to their relatives so that they can rest in their native land," shared Lyubov Vatrіna.

The main point of the Russians' visit to Beshenkovichi was the "Uzhrechye" memorial complex. It was here, on the banks of the Western Dvina, in June 1944, that the fate of not only the district but also the entire "Bagration" offensive operation was decided. For the Urals residents, this place is special. The waters of the Dvina remember the feat of their countryman, Junior Sergeant Ivan Cherepanov.

A native of the Artinsky district, while commanding a machine-gun squad, was one of the first to force the water obstacle near the village of Zaborie. Having landed on the enemy bank, he captured a bridgehead with the fire of his heavy machine gun and held it until the entire battalion crossed, replacing the fallen platoon commander. For this courageous act, Ivan Cherepanov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on July 22, 1944.

In memory of the hero and all the fallen soldiers, guests and representatives of the district authorities and the district council of veterans honored the feat of the Fatherland's defenders with a minute of silence and laid flowers at the monument.

As Deputy Chairperson of the District Executive Committee Elena Baranova, who cordially welcomed the delegation members, emphasized, such meetings are not merely a tribute to tradition, but a crucial element in the upbringing of youth and the protection of historical truth from attempts to rewrite the outcomes of the war.

"Zarya"