A memorial event dedicated to the 36th anniversary of the withdrawal of the Soviet troops from Afghanistan was held at the monument to the internationalist soldiers in Tskhinval on Saturday.
The event was attended by the leadership of the Republic, headed by President Alan Gagloev, Russian Ambassador to South Ossetia Marat Kulakhmetov, veterans of the war in Afghanistan, representatives of the Russian 4th military base, commander of the Sarmat battalion Vladimir Naniev and fighters of the Alania battalion, students of the educational institutions, and the public.
Those present honored the memory of the fallen internationalist soldiers with a minute of silence.
The memorial rally was opened by Chairman of the South Ossetian Union of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan Murat Guchmazov.
"Today we have gathered to honor the memory of our fallen comrades, marking the end of the war in Afghanistan. More than 200 young guys from South Ossetia took part in the war in Afghanistan, seven of whom did not return to their homeland. The bravery and courage of these guys are still legendary," he has noted.
President Alan Gagloev, in turn, has emphasized that internationalist warriors are a worthy example for the younger generation.
"The feat of our guys, who selflessly fulfilled their military duty, is forever inscribed in the heroic annals of our Republic. From childhood, we must instill in the younger generation love for the homeland and instill in them pride in our heroes," the head of state has noted.
Russian Ambassador to the Republic of South Ossetia Marat Kulakhmetov has emphasized that the wounds inflicted by the war in Afghanistan are still bleeding.
"The Afghan warriors are 20-year-old guys who were fulfilling their military duty. When we say the word "Afghans", we understand that this is a special caste, the feat of these guys is worthy of respect," he has emphasized.
Kulakhmetov noted that today, shoulder to shoulder, young soldiers of different nationalities are honorably fulfilling their duty in the special military operation zone, demonstrating courage and heroism.
At the end of the rally, its participants laid flowers and wreaths at the monument to yjr internationalist soldiers.
