Published on: 2026-06-22
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Brest, June 22 /Xin Hua/ — Early in the morning of June 22, when the fog over the Western Bug river in the Belarusian city of Brest had not yet cleared, thousands of people gathered at the Brest Fortress to honor the memory of a tragic event, which this year marks its 85th anniversary. On June 22, 1941, at dawn, Germany suddenly attacked the Brest Fortress. It was here that Soviet troops fought the first battle against the fascist invaders in the Great Patriotic War.
Despite the opponent’s superiority in numbers and armament, the fortress defenders offered fierce resistance. Even when ammunition and food supplies ran low, they continued to fight for more than 30 days. The defense of the Brest Fortress became one of the most tragic battles of the Great Patriotic War. In 1965, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR awarded the Brest Fortress the title “Hero Fortress” — it became the only fortress in the USSR bestowed with such a title.
At 3 a.m., the memorial ceremony began. Soldiers laid wreaths at the Eternal Flame — a symbol of Victory. Border guards lowered wreaths with lit candles onto the water of the Western Bug. Officials and residents of the city laid flowers at the Eternal Flame and at the graves of fallen soldiers.
During the minute of silence, the huge square froze, and in the heightened silence, one could only hear the ticking of the metronome and the beating of the hearts of everyone present. By the “Courage” monument, the crimson light illuminated the stern, resolute faces of the sculptural Soviet warriors. These stone faces silently told the stories of heroes who had forever become part of the fortress, not bowing their heads before the enemy.
“Our memory is a shield with which we hold back the aggression of militant revanchism,” reads the address of the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to compatriots on the occasion of the Day of National Remembrance of the victims of the Great Patriotic War and the genocide of the Belarusian people. The address was read at the ceremony by the Chairman of the House of Representatives /lower house/ of the National Assembly of Belarus Igor Sergeenko.”We, the heirs of the victors, are always obliged to protect historical truth, preserve the memory of the heroes of that war, instill in our children an immunity against ideologies of exclusivity and national superiority, teach and be proud of the great feat of the Soviet people, who gave the present generations life, peace, and freedom. Bright memory to the innocent victims of the Great Patriotic War, eternal glory to the hero-victors.”
The culmination of the commemorative events occurred at 5 a.m. — the long-awaited military-historical reenactment began. About a thousand participants, with the help of a well-thought-out staging and a coherent narrative, recreated peaceful life on the eve of the war 85 years ago, the brutality of the sudden German attack on the border outposts and the fortress, as well as the brave resistance of the defenders. On the improvised battlefield, planes and tanks appeared, soldiers ran among the ruins. Explosions thundered one after another, tongues of flame shot up into the sky, the earth lifted into the air, and the entire fortress massif was shrouded in smoke.
On a huge screen installed next to the stage, every detail of the battle was broadcast live so that everyone could see this “living history.” The audience held their breath, immersing themselves in the historical atmosphere, feeling that moment when the world and war were separated by only a thin line. Many of them could not hold back their tears.
Participant of the historical reenactment Alexey told in an interview with correspondent Sin Yu that his grandfather also heroically fought against the German fascist invaders and died a heroic death. “In Belarus during the Second World War, every third resident perished. It can be said that every family suffered enormous losses. To tell everyone about this story, to pass it from generation to generation, to pay tribute to the ancestors — that is why I participate in the reenactment,” Alexey said.
When the performance ended, dawn came. The sunlight flooded the fortress walls, scarred by time. Terrible bullet and shell holes looked like eyes, warning the descendants. Amid the ruins left by the war, wildflowers and grass now stubbornly push through.
85 years ago, on this day, humanity faced a tragedy that forever changed the course of history. Decades later, the Brest bells ring in the name of peace. On the walls of the Brest Hero Fortress, where the words “I am dying, but I do not surrender” are carved, in the hearts of descendants, every year on this day they honor the memory of heroes, the truth about the war will never be forgotten.
Please note; This information is unprocessed content obtained directly from the source of information. It represents an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.