RUSSIAN VOLUNTEERS DAY MARKED

VIŠEGRAD, APRIL 12 /SRNA/ - The Russian Volunteers Day was marked in Višegrad, with the message that the Serb-Russian peoples’ ties are deep, fraternal and unbreakable.

Today's date is included in the calendar of significant historical dates of Republika Srpska in memory of the heroes from Russia who gave their lives for the freedom of the Serb people in the Defensive-Patriotic War.

The commemoration programme began at the Military Cemetery in Megdan, where a memorial service was held for the Russian volunteers, and then wreaths and flowers were laid in front of the memorial dedicated to their heroism.

The Mayor of Višegrad, Mladen Đurević, in his address, reminded of the magnitude of the sacrifice the Russian volunteers made for the Serb people and emphasized that their names remain permanently inscribed in the hearts of Višegrad residents.

"Today, when we gather in this place, we not only remember, but also renew our vow that we will preserve the truth about their struggle, pass it on to future generations and never allow it to fall into oblivion," said Đurević.

Special emotions were caused by Russian volunteer Alexander Kravchenko’s address, who emphasized his deep connection with the Serb people and stressed that he carries the energy he got in Republika Srpska with him even today.

"It was a great experience in life out of true love. I feel good here and I get a lot of energy when I'm among my Serb brothers," said Kravchenko.

The Head of the Republika Srpska War Veterans Organisation, Radan Ostojić, reminded that about 700 Russian volunteers passed through the units of the Drina, Sarajevo-Romanija and Herzegovina Corps, and that the memorial in Višegrad with the carved names of the 37 fallen soldiers is a symbol of their heroism.

"It doesn't matter how many there were - one or 100. Their love for us and desire to help in the fight against injustice speaks volumes about the importance that brotherhood had for us, Serbs," said Ostojić.

The Day of Russian Volunteers is celebrated on April 12, the day when three Russians who fought in the Republika Srpska Army - Konstantin Bogoslovski, Vladimir Safonov and Dimitrij Popov - were killed near Višegrad in 1993, while several were wounded.

The municipal War Veterans Organisation announced that 37 Russian volunteers fell in the Defensive-Patriotic War from 1992 to 1995.