Peacekeeping soldiers commemorated in Kazan

A rally in Kazan, near a monument to the peacekeeping soldiers who served in Afghanistan, has today paid tribute to them. On this day 23 years ago, the ten-year Afghan war ended, the last column of Soviet servicemen leaving the country.

Tatarstan youth affairs, sport and tourism minister Rafis Burganov opened the rally, saying 10 thousand young Tatarstan residents had for 10 years performed their military duty in Afghanistan. Over 500 of them were injured, 201 came back with concussions, while 262 were killed. Over 2 thousand war participants were later presented state awards.

R. Burganov offered condolences to the deceased soldiers’ relatives.

Tatarstan’s military commissar, major general Sergey Pogodin, called the Afghan war “a pride and pain” and added that it still echoes in people’s hearts.

A student at the Kazan Higher Military Command School, Oleg Leontiev, spoke at the rally as well.

The rally ended with laying a commemorative garland to the peacekeepers monument.