81st anniversary of liberation from Nazi invaders celebrated in Mozyr
The 81st anniversary of liberation from the Nazi invaders was solemnly celebrated in Mozyr. January 14th, 1944 was a long-awaited date for the district residents: freedom came after 875 days of awful Nazi occupation.
The city located on the Pripyat River bank was almost completely destroyed in the war years. The enemy ruined 43 villages of the district and killed about seven thousand civilians. More than 5,000 soldiers and officers of the Belarusian Front troops were killed during the Kalinkovichi-Mozyr liberation operation, and 12,000 soldiers were injured – and that was the price of liberation. Partisans took an active part in the fight for the Belarusian district.
“Thanks to the hard work of our Mozyr residents, the district was reborn from the ashes, becoming the pride of not only this locality but of the entire Belarusian land. The Belarusian military continue the glorious traditions of our heroic Great Patriotic War veterans – doing that with honour and dignity. They also protect the borders of the republic and maintain its calm and peace,” Yelena Pavlechko, the Chairperson of the Mozyr District Executive Committee, said as she addressed her countrymen who gathered at the Mound of Glory.
Mozyr residents – including representatives of the authorities, public organisations, labour teams, deputies, and the youth, among others – honoured the memory of the liberator soldiers with a minute of silence, laid flowers and wreaths at the memorial.
The Mound of Glory is a sacred place for local people. The remains of soldiers and partisans who were buried in civilian cemeteries and other places are reburied here in a mass grave.
