Russia marks holiday for those who served abroad
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 15 February 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia marks holiday for those who served abroad, 15 February 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/550940a29.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 15, 2015
Russia is marking a holiday in honor of soldiers who "performed their duties to the Fatherland outside of the country."
The holiday, which was instituted in 2010, is marked on February 15, the date that Soviet forces completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989.
State Duma Deputy and head of the Russian Afghan Veterans Union Frants Klintsevich laid a wreath at a Moscow memorial and said that "more than 15,000 soldiers and officers died for the ideals of internationalism on the soil of Afghanistan."
"The courage and heroism of Afghan veterans . . . does not have an expiration date," he added.
The events in Moscow will be capped off with a concert in the State Kremlin Palace.
Based on reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
