Rostov Region starts "Memory Watch" campaign of excavating Soviet soldiers' remains

Today, the Matveev-Kurgan and Kuibyshev District of the Rostov Region have launched the "Memory Watch" campaign that assumes excavations of the remains of Soviet soldiers. According to the press service of the committee on youth policies of the region, the excavations will be carried out by young activists from the following six military-patriotic clubs: "Rys", "Dorogami Otsov" (Fathers' Roads), "Otechestvo" (Homeland), Regiment "Dolg" (Duty), "Yuzhny Front", "Poisk" (Search) and "Pamyats" (Memory).

According to Alexander Zhukov, the leader of the public organization "Rys" the searching operations will be conducted near the Mius-Front line. "In 1942-1943, fierce battles took place there, Soviet troops repeatedly tried to break through the German defence. Aiming to hold the Mius-Front, Germans brought their elite troops there; the hilly terrain was their benefit. It was a bloody front; our soldiers fought to death," said Alexander Zhukov.

The above regional committee has also noted that the search for the remains of Soviet soldiers, who sacrificed their lives for liberation of their homeland, will last until October 21. The burial ceremony is scheduled for October 18 in the village of Matveev-Kurgan, where the summer "Memory Watch" campaign will be summed up.

"The solemn ceremony will accompany burial of 17 Soviet soldiers. The searching groups managed to establish the names of three of them. At present, their relatives are being searched. Unfortunately, it is impossible to identify most of them: survived medallions with soldiers' data are a great rarity," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told at the youth regional committee, where the source added that over 200 persons were involved in searches.

"Young people hold the 'Memory Watch' and bring back those, who had defended their right to life from oblivion, said the source from the committee.

Let us note here that the number of soldiers and commanders of the Red Army, who perished in the Mius-Front battle lines, is approximately estimated at 816,000 persons; with most of the soldiers remaining unburied on the battlefield. The defence was undertaken by the 7th Air Corps, 4th Guards Mechanized Corps, units of the 17th Field Army, 5th Striking Army of the Southern Front, 96th Guards Rifle Division and others.