“We remember the exploits of our soldiers” – a rally dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanista

More than 500 people took part, including volunteers from seven youth organizations

Today, a rally dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan took place at the monument to the internationalist soldiers in Victory Park. About 500 people took part in the event, among them combat veterans, representatives of public veteran organizations of Kazan, cadets and students. The meeting was opened by the head of the Kazan Suvorov Military School, a veteran of military operations, Major General Valery Mironchenko.

“Time goes by quickly. It has been 35 years since we left Afghanistan. A large number of people have gathered today, honoring the memory of the fighters. Even the frost did not stop us, we remember the exploits of the soldiers. The rally dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan is declared open,”- Valery Mironchenko said.

More than 11,500 residents of Tatarstan participated in the war in Afghanistan, including over 2 thousand from Kazan. 275 citizens were awarded medals “For Bravery” and “For Military Merit”, and 93 were awarded the Order of the Red Star. Thirty-four residents of the capital of Tatarstan were killed on the battlefields, and 108 were wounded.

Azat Abzalov, head of the Department of Culture of Kazan, on behalf of the Mayor’s Office, expressed gratitude to the veterans of military operations. He also noted that the organization of such rallies is an element of patriotic education of young people.

“Today we have gathered to pay tribute to the memory and respect of the soldiers. I bow low to you, dear veterans, for your exploits. Thanks also to those who are engaged in patriotic education of young people today. This is the only way we can preserve our great country, because young people look at the actions of the older generation,”- said the head of the Department of Culture.

Yevgeny Kabysh, Chairman of the Board of the Russian Union of Afghanistan, said that there was a real friendship among the servicemen on the battlefield. “The soldiers were fulfilling their military duty. We knew what we were fighting for,”- the combat veteran reminded.

The widow of an internationalist soldier, chairman of the Board of the Republican Public Organization of family members of Internationalist soldiers who died in the Republic of Afghanistan, Guzaliya Yudina thanked everyone for their caring attitude to the families of the fallen fighters.

“This war was one of the cruelest and longest. The word “Afghanistan” may sound different to everyone, but most often it is pain and loss. Thanks to everyone who pays attention to the families of the victims. We are a completely different category of people, thank you for not leaving us,”- Guzaliya Yudina said.

Seven youth public associations of the republic also joined the rally. Daniil Belyaev, a student of the Kazan Aviation Technical College, a volunteer of the Volunteers of Victory movement, noted that the day of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan is of great importance to him.