Today is the day of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. Moscow sent its military in 1979, at the request of the official Kabul. Soon our army was embroiled in the civil war. For 10 years, it lost 14 thousand Soviet citizens.

Those who have fulfilled their military duty, today remembered all over Russia. In Irkutsk ended the campaign "Immortal regiment Afghan".

In day of memory of soldiers-internationalists, hundreds of people gathered in the center of Irkutsk. For the first time there has passed the action "Immortal regiment Afghan". The event was held at a memorial to people who died in the line of duty. The ceremony started with wreath laying and a minute of silence. Only military action in Afghanistan has taken part more than 1,5 thousand inhabitants of the Irkutsk region. 31 of them died, 1 was missing. More than 300 people have received military awards. To honor those who died while performing their military duty in Afghanistan were members of families. Many brought with them letters and photographs. Came, of course, and combat veterans, who still very well remember those events and who did not return from Afghanistan friends.

Participation in action have accepted and future military. Students of the Irkutsk cadet corps. They were holding portraits of the natives of the region who died in the line of military duty. In a tribute today, we heard shots. The event was held for the first time and maybe next year on this day, similar rallies will be held in other cities of Russia.
sections: Society, Region News