The date of February 15, 1989, when the last units of the 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 gather at the memorial on Voine-Internatsionalistov Street. The monument's name – "Pain" – is highly symbolic. Veterans recall their experiences with pain in their hearts; strong men who endured terrible trials struggle to hold back a lump in their throats.
– For us, the Afghan War is a source of pride and pain. Pride in having honourably fulfilled our duty and performed our male responsibilities with dignity. This is recognised 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 home 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 organisation of the Belarusian Union of Afghan War Veterans, retired Lieutenant Colonel Valerian Matskevich.
The rally at the monument to the internationalist soldiers was attended by member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Irina Levkovich, the leadership of Vitebsk, representatives of state structures, public organisations, youth, and residents of the regional centre. The most honoured place was occupied by Afghan War veterans.
– Vitebsk was the first to send soldiers and officers of the 103rd Guards Airborne Division and pilots of the 339th Military Transport Aviation Regiment to Afghanistan, and the first "сhоrnіе тюльпаны" (black tulips – coffins with fallen soldiers) from that distant country also arrived in our city. Today, the Afghan soldiers are passing the baton of patriotism and combat brotherhood to the younger generation, teaching them by their example to be responsible for the fate of the Fatherland, – emphasised the Chairman of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee Alexey Geroev.
– I was among the first four crews to master the legendary Il-76 at the 339th Aviation Regiment in Vitebsk. For ten years, we used this aircraft to deliver paratroopers and ammunition to Afghanistan. The heaviest cargo was "груз 200" (cargo 200) – zinc coffins with the fallen, which we transported out of Afghanistan to various parts of the Soviet Union, – recalls retired Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Stativko.
Vitebsk cadets lined up with portraits of soldiers who did not return from the Afghan War. Many of them link their future lives with the army. Alexander Shlyakhtunov, whose uncle, paratrooper Vladimir Pilipenko, participated in combat operations, also dreams of exchanging cadet shoulder straps for officer ones.
At the rally, all those who did not return from battle were remembered by name. The sorrowful list includes 160 names, which resonated with pain in the hearts of all who came to honour the memory of the soldiers who fulfilled their international duty.