Memorable events in celebration of the anniversary of the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan have been arranged in Tskhinval:solemn laying of flowers and wreaths at the Memorial to the Afghan soldiers in the northern part of the town (district of Bam) and at the memorial cemetery chapel in the yard of the school № 5. The ceremony was attended by the leadership of South Ossetia headed by President Leonid Tibilov, Speaker of the Parliament Stanislav Kochiev, representatives of the Russian FSS Border Control Agency, the Fourth Military Base of the RF Defense Ministry, members of the Afghan War Veterans Union, relatives of the fallen Afghans, teachers and pupils of the boarding school in Tskhinval.
A Chairman of the Afghan War Veterans Union Murat Guchmazov thanked the Republican leadership for the attention and support.
He has also noted that at the place of the memorial will soon begin construction of the memorial complex, including the mall, a monument and a museum of military glory.
"It's very symbolic, because the Helicopter Regiment located in Tskhinval, from the first day of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, took an active part in the hostilities", - he said.
Guchmazov has added that about 200 citizens of South Ossetia took part in the Afghanistan war.
"Six of our guys were killed in Afghanistan. In addition, our guys took part in the Chechen campaign – many of them perished. Many Afghan veterans have lost their lives for the freedom and independence of South Ossetia", - he said.
The participants of the meeting observed a minute of silence in tribute to the memory of the killed compatriots.
The head of state Leonid Tibilov stressed that the war in Afghanistan had also touched South Ossetia.
"The representatives of our people have taken part in this war, and, unfortunately, there is no any war without victims. Today we are here to pay tribute to those who gave their lives for the Soviet Union in Afghanistan, "- said the president.
Leonid Tibilov also expressed condolences to the families and friends of the fallen Afghan war participants.
"I know that they were the real patriots of their country. They were killed in a brutal war, showing courage and heroism. Low bow to the relatives of these guys, and I want to assure you that no one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten"- underlined the head of state.
He has added that the Government will be assisting in the construction of the memorial and has thanked the members of the Afghan Veterans Union of the RSO for contribution to strengthening of the statehood of South Ossetia.
In addition, Leonid Tibilov thanked the FSS Border Control Agency of the Russian Federation and the fourth military base of the Russian Federation Ministry of Defence for their cooperation and expressed the hope that in the future this cooperation would continue.
"Cooperation between the Afghan Veterans Union of South Ossetia and representatives of military structures of Russia should be continued and this cooperation should be for the benefit of our people and our state," - he said.
Earlier, in Tskhinval, at the Blessed Virgin Cathedral was held the liturgy for the deceased soldiers, killed in Afghanistan.
