Image credit: The Telegram channel Pul Pervogo
VOLGOGRAD, 29 April (BelTA) – Americans and the French did not open the real Second Front during World War Two. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the relevant statement during the international patriotic forum of the Union State of Belarus and Russia “Great heritage - common future” in the Russian city of Volgograd on 29 April, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said that the Allies provided assistance during World War Two but important aspects should be kept in mind. “Let’s be honest: the Allies joined in when our soldiers had already broken the back of the fascist monster,” the president said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that thousands of people from all over the Soviet Union, including Belarus, had defended Stalingrad. The president mentioned names of pilots, armor crewmen, artillerists, foot soldiers, who became Heroes of the Soviet Union. He also mentioned the commanding officer of the Don Front, one of the Victory marshals Konstantin Rokossovsky.
The name of the Belarusian Aleksei Vashchenko was also mentioned. He used his body to cover the firing port of an enemy pillbox. By doing so, he became part of history of the city’s defense. A Volgograd street has been named after him.
“Thank you for remembering it,” the Belarusian head of state told the Russian side. “Memory of the multiple heroic liberators, including Belarusians, is kept in the Military Honor Hall at Mamayev Kurgan. They are our common heroes. This is why the Mound of Glory outside Minsk stores soil from various corners of the Soviet Union where the fiercest fighting took place. We preserve a small piece of Stalingrad in the very center of our capital city, in Pobedy Square. Bricks from the legendary Pavlov’s House are part of the foundation of a building that stands in Nezavisimosti Avenue. These are sacred relics for us.”
The president stressed that Belarusians know and remember that the victory in the Battle of Stalingrad had been secured by the entire Soviet nation. By everyone, who worked for the benefit of the Red Army deep behind enemy lines, drawing away the enemy’s attention and undermining the military potential of the Wehrmacht from within. “The real Second Front was opened over there, behind enemy lines. Not by Americans and the French. And it was a response to the monstrous crimes of the Nazism,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.
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