90 paratroopers vs. 2500 terrorists. Pskov Airborne Division still cherishes the memory of the heroes who defended a key height at the expense of their lives in the fight against Basayev and Khattab's insurgents. It happened 17 years ago. Military commanders invited the perished heroes' relatives and friends from all over Russia to Pskov today.
Today, Pskov is in flowers, wreaths and funeral ribbons. The feat of the 6th airborne company, without exaggeration, became part of the Russian army's heroic history forever. "This is very special for me because I knew all the officers personally and knew their professional skills".
Every year for the past 17 years, a memorial takes place in Pskov a requiem in the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral flower-laying ceremony at the cemetery where some officers are buried and the solemn ceremony at the monument to the 6th company at the gate of the military unit.
This is one of the most amazing and impressive memorials in the country it is made in the form of a giant 20-meter parachute. The granite base symbolizes the very height, "776" for which, in an unequal battle, 84 Russian paratroopers were killed. At the end of February 2000, terrorist militias under the command of Khattab many of whom were Arab mercenaries, were surrounded in the Argun Gorge. And they decided to break through the mountain pass, height 776, which was held by Russian paratroopers. There were about 2500 insurgents and only 90 paratroopers. They were offered to surrender, but they remained steadfast to the very end. As a result, the main forces were able to arrive, and the insurgents were destroyed.
"They were reliable, loyal decent people, in every respect. One could always depend on them both in peace and war. They didn't surrender. They endured to the end". The military unit has a museum dedicated to the 6th company, and the fallen officers' beds stand made in the barracks. By the Defence Minister's decree, these officers are eternally enrolled in the division. Each of those who died 17 years ago is remembered here. "We come here, where he served, as if he was alive".
Today the Pskov region mourns with the relatives of the perished. "Each citizen in the region is in some way connected to the Ministry of Defence and with the 76th Guard division. And, people empathized with this tragedy 17 years ago. The whole city came together to pay respect to these men".
At the initiative of Pskov's governor a memorial worship cross will be placed on the site of the famous battle near the Chechen village of Ulus-Kert. The relatives of the perished paratroopers will gather there. Many will visit the "776" height for the first time.
