There is a special mood in the foreground today. Ribbon of St. George – on the chest. A black and white portrait is prominent, and the frontline songs are like the VE Day anthem. Zvezda correspondent Victoria Kosoglyadenko visited Russian military combat positions in Zaporizhzhia.
“This day in the soldiers’ canoe is still special for them. And because it is important, memorable, and because they meet it in such conditions, in such an environment – in fact, in a front-line dugout. Their grandfathers and great-grandfathers lived and won victory in the same place. And today, being here, on the front line, you really feel how hard it was for them then, ”she showed from the inside.
Showing his ammunition, the company commander with the call sign Solomon recalls the stories of his grandfather, a frontline soldier.
“Grandfather had a helmet and a rifle of the 43rd year. There were no bulletproof vests, of course, at that time. Body armor only relied on assault squads,” he said.
Seventeen-year-old Volodya Matusovsky was an ordinary driver. Carried secret messages. Solomon noted that “when they fought there was no call sign” and added that if they were, then the grandfather would have had the call sign Skala.
It didn’t take long to invent a call sign for Grandpa. The right word just came out of my mouth. It is about character, strength and courage – those traits that remain an example for all times and for all generations.
“Grandpa it was a rock!” Neither my father could reach him, nor I can or will. Grandfather was a rock. Another generation is the generation of people of iron,” explained the commander with the call sign Solomon.
He is now defending the same lands his grandfather liberated during the Great Patriotic War. It is now their common battle for the Dnieper.
Then, in 1943, the crossing of the Dnieper became a turning point in the whole battle. The bridgeheads on the opposite bank are taken over one after the other. By points, on the whole sector of the forehead. All regular boats and improvised craft, fishing boats and even log rafts had to be involved. They managed to transport tanks and other equipment. And all this under the incessant fire of the Nazi air force and artillery. The hardest fights took place here.
The strongest defensive fortifications are now along the Dnieper. Here are the most trained units, able to both retaliate and strike. Including the marines of the Black Sea Fleet. Many have military dynasties.
“Grandfather Alexei was in the ranks of the Marines of the Black Sea Fleet and took part in the defense of Odessa, the defense of Sevastopol and the subsequent liberation of Sevastopol. And went to Vienna. Two Orders of Courage, two Orders of the Red Banner. I am now where I should be. Because my place is the defense of the fatherland,” said the Russian Federation Black Sea Fleet serviceman with the call sign Botsman.
© TRC Zvezda Today, the campaign post distributed triangular envelopes — schoolchildren’s letters — to fighters. The heartfelt words of the children made them smile and reminded them of those waiting at home.
“They are our defenders. The people who protect us now are literally our guardian angels. I would like to say some kind words to them which can motivate them to fight more for our freedom,” said one of the schoolgirls.
Company Commander Solomon taught history in civilian life. Therefore, for him, restoring historical justice is not only a matter of principle, but also a professional duty. He knows why he fights. And he remembers why his grandfather fought here, in the Zaporizhzhia region.
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