Ihor Terekhov: Soldiers-internationalists of Afghan are still heroically defending Ukraine today Today, on February 15, a wreath-laying ceremony on the occasion of the 34th anniversary of the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, as well as the Day of Commemoration of Participants in Combat Operations in Other Countries, took place at the memorial to international soldiers on Kultury Street.

Their comrades-in-arms, relatives, and friends of the veterans of the war in Afghanistan, the City authorities, representatives of public organizations and concerned Kharkiv citizens came to honour the memory and victory of the fallen combatants.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov emphasized that Afghan warriors were among the first to volunteer to defend their homeland from the occupants back in 2014 and today continue to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and territorial defense units.

‘Every year on this day we demonstrate our deep respect for thousands of Ukrainian servicemen who performed their duty with honour and dignity at different times and in different countries. Participation of our compatriots in combat operations in Afghanistan and other ‘hot spots’ of the world is a scale of courage, heroism and at the same time a national tragedy for us, as hundreds of our countrymen died in distant wars during the years of military operations, and we will never forget about it. Today, Afghan soldiers are still heroically defending Ukraine, bringing the long-awaited victory closer every day. I thank them for this! I wish peaceful skies to all of us and eternal memory to the fallen,’ said Ihor Terekhov, addressing the audience.

Reference. The Afghan War (1979-1989) was a military conflict on the territory of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. The withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, in accordance with the Geneva Accords on the political settlement of the situation around the DRA, began on May 15, 1988 and lasted nine months. On February 15, 1989, the last units of Soviet troops left the territory of Afghanistan. Over the 10 years of military operations in Afghanistan, more than 200 Kharkiv residents were killed. Since 2004, February 15 has been celebrated as the Day of Honoring Participants in Combat Operations in Other Countries. Traditionally, various events are held on this day to commemorate the fallen and deceased international soldiers, including rallies, laying flowers at monuments, prayer services, etc.