United by Common History
On May 8 students from Turkmenistan studying at universities in Belgorod, commemorated their countrymen killed in the Battle of Kursk. Almost two and a half thousand heroes from former Soviet republics were killed in this major battle of World War II, which became a radical change in the war. Here the soldiers were fighting to death under the banner of the 97th Turkmen Cavalry Division.
Under Russian and Turkmen flags the delegation, which included representatives of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan, laid flowers and wreaths at the Eternal Flame. The guests visited a military memorial complex.
Particular attention was paid to the memorial to the Turkmen soldiers. This monument was opened in May 2011. The Head of diplomatic mission of Turkmenistan in Russia Khalnazar Agakhanov visited the opening ceremony.
Victory Day is common to all peoples of the CIS, who fought on the fields of the Great Patriotic War - said the chairman of the regional society of friendship, cultural and business ties with Turkmenistan Vladimir Lapin.
Belgorod region and Turkmenistan are united not only by historical memory, but also cooperation in the fields of business, education and culture. Just last year Turkmen-Russian economic forum took place in Belgorod. In the future we plan to strengthen and expand cooperation.
Elena Ktrasovskaya
Deputy-director of museum and exhibition complex at BSTU
Photos made by the author