Vitebsk marked the Day of Remembrance of Soldiers-Internationalists

The date February 15, 1989, when the last units of Soviet troops withdrew from Afghanistan, is inscribed in the country's history as a day of both joy and sorrow. It is a celebration with tears in their eyes, tears that have not dried in the passing decades.

Every year, on a frosty February day, people come to the memorial on Voinov-Internatsionalistov Street. The name of the monument – "Pain" – is very symbolic. With pain in their hearts, veterans recall their experiences; strong men who endured terrible trials struggle to hold back a lump in their throats.

– For us, the Afghan War is pride and pain. Pride for having honorably fulfilled our duty, for having done our man's work with dignity. And this is recognized by state awards. Two natives of the Vitebsk region – Vasily Shcherbakov and Vasily Pimenov – were awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union. And pain for the loss of friends. 160 of our countrymen died in Afghanistan, and about 1.5 thousand people who returned to their homeland have passed away due to the consequences of the war. Today, we bow our heads to the mothers and widows, – noted the chairman of the regional organization of the Belarusian Union of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan, retired Lieutenant Colonel Valerian Matskevich.

vitebsk-region.gov.by