A solemn meeting was held in the capital on the eve of the 35th anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. Held at the Palace of the Republic the event was attended by top officials of the state, internationalist soldiers and their families, military personnel, representatives of public and educational institutions.
Almost 650 thousand Soviet servicemen passed through the fighting in Afghanistan totally, including 2200 natives of Pridnestrovie. Approximately 15 thousand Soviet soldiers died, including 54 Pridnestrovians. 27 Afghans laid down their lives for the freedom and independence of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. The memory of the heroes was honored with a minute of silence.
Addressing the internationalist soldiers, the PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky noted their feat, contribution to maintaining peace and countering terrorism. The President said that his father was one of the first Soviet soldiers who entered Afghanistan in 1979.
“The Soviet Union fought against international terrorism, fought for the Afghan people then. The Soviet Union never engaged in colonial policy. It on the contrary destroyed colonies in Asia and Africa. The Soviet Union gave the people freedom. The Soviet people in addition to protection built Afghanistan: roads, schools, hospitals, kindergartens. It was an international duty. Soviet soldiers left victorious. Afghan soldiers continued to fulfill their international duty in Pridnestrovie, their duty to the multinational Pridnestrovian people,” emphasized Vadim Krasnoselsky.
The ceremonial meeting continued with the presentation of state awards.
To mark the 35th anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, postage stamps were issued in Pridnestrovie. The President took part in the special cancellation ceremony, which took place in the foyer of the Palace of the Republic. This is the third issue in a series on this topic. Previous souvenir sheet was published 10 and 5 years ago. The stamp depicts a monument to Afghan soldiers installed on the capital's Memorial of Glory. The postage stamps circulation: 5600 pieces. 130 envelopes depicting a memorial procession in honor of fallen Afghan soldiers were produced in addition to the stamps.
