In honour of the 85th anniversary of the Vitebsk region, 85 rescuers from all regions of the oblast, in full combat gear weighing 15 kg, ran a distance of 850 metres. Symbolically, in the Year of Peace and Creation, the "Race of the Strongest" took place on Mira Street in Vitebsk.
The event was opened by rescuers from the Vityaz Fire and Rescue Squad, who were moving on a quad bike with the State Flag of the Republic of Belarus, and athletes from the sports teams of the regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, including world champions in fire and rescue sports, members of national teams, prize-winners and participants of various republican and international championships and competitions. A Geely Atlas special vehicle, which has proven to be a reliable assistant for rescuers in carrying out operational tasks, was also demonstrated to the guests.
In a fierce competition, Ilya Korolev from the Vitebsk City Department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations finished first, Artem Valuisky came second, and Anton Fateev, both employees of the Vityaz Fire and Rescue Squad, finished third. The "Race of the Strongest" included not only men but also representatives of the fair sex – Elizaveta Emelyanova and Galina Kucherenok, employees of the Novopolotsk and Vitebsk City Departments of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
The prize-winners and the female participants were congratulated by Marina Novitskaya, Head of the Main Department of Ideological Work and Youth Affairs of the Regional Executive Committee, Nikolay Orlov, Chairman of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee, Sergey Meshkin, Head of the Regional Department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and Vladimir Babichev, First Secretary of the Regional Organization of the BRSM Youth Union.
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by– Employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations support the peace-loving policy pursued by our state, – noted Sergey Meshkin. – Rescuers of the region are always ready to perform assigned tasks for the benefit of preserving and increasing the well-being of the Vitebsk region and Belarus as a whole, and also, if necessary, are ready to defend the Fatherland.