There are places on Earth that are geographically distant but close to us due to historical circumstances. Afghanistan is among them.

On December 25th, it was the 45th anniversary of the introduction of Soviet troops into that country. Almost 30,000 Belarusians travelled the dusty roads of the Afghan War.

On the occasion of the memorable date, solemn events were held in Lepel. Members of the Lepel regional organisation of the public association "Belarusian Union of Afghan War Veterans" met at the monument to Afghan soldiers to commemorate the fallen internationalists. Svetlana Shevelyova, Head of the Ideological Work and Youth Affairs Department of the district executive committee, also took part in the flower-laying ceremony.

Afterwards, the residents of Lepel held a meeting of the regional organisation's council, during which they summed up the work done in the outgoing year and presented membership cards.

Compatriots also paid due attention to the main political topic – the elections of the President of the Republic of Belarus. Svetlana Shevelyova, Head of the Ideological Work and Youth Affairs Department, reminded attendees of the stages of the electoral campaign.