The National Historical Archives of Belarus and the Belarusian Research Institute of Documentation and Archival Affairs remembered the participants and honored the victims of the 1979-1989 Afghan War

On February 13, 2026, a meeting of the staff of the National Historical Archives of Belarus and the Belarusian Research Institute of Documentation and Archival Affairs was held in the conference hall of the National Historical Archives of Belarus to commemorate Internationalist Warriors’ Remembrance Day.

On February 15, 1989, the withdrawal of the Limited Contingent of Soviet Troops from Afghanistan was completed. The Afghan War, in which the Soviet Army suffered its greatest losses since the Great Patriotic War, ended. Approximately 30,000 Belarusians served in the Afghan War. 771 of them never returned.

In the Republic of Belarus, recognition of the heroism of internationalist soldiers remains unchanged. In the center of Minsk, on the bend of the Svisloch River, a memorial was erected on the «Island of Tears» in memory of those who died in the line of international duty in Afghanistan. Monuments and memorials to internationalist soldiers have been erected in many cities and towns across Belarus.

By Decree No.157 of the President of the Republic of Belarus of March 26, 1998, «On State Holidays, Public Holidays, and Memorable Dates in the Republic of Belarus», February 15 was designated as Remembrance Day of Internationalist Soldiers. This date is traditionally celebrated annually in our country.

A documentary film dedicated to the service of Belarusians in Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989 was shown to employees of the NIA of Belarus and the Belarusian Research Institute of Documentation and Archival Affairs.

1. Speech by Mikhail Glushakov, Director of the National Information Agency of Belarus

2. Staff of the National Information Agency of Belarus and the Belarusian Research Institute of Military-Industrial Complexes

3. Still from the documentary film