More than 7,000 soldiers from Kyrgyzstan served in Afghanistan

President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, delivered an address on the occasion of the day of Soviet troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan on February 15.

“By tradition, every year on February 15 we mark remembrance day for the soldiers-internationalists who died in combat. The Afghan war lasted 9 years, 1 month and 19 days. Over 620,000 Soviet soldiers, including more than 7,000 from Kyrgyzstan, served in Afghanistan,” he noted.

“Over 200,000 servicemen, workers and employees were awarded orders and medals for courage, heroism and bravery. Sixty-six soldiers were Heroes of the Soviet Union, including two of our countrymen, Sergei Gushchin and Yuri Islamov. Soldiers-internationalists not only fought, but also restored Afghanistan, provided food, medicines, constructed social objects,” said Japarov.

He wished all veterans-internationalists, their relatives and friends strong health, good luck, happiness and prosperity on the 32nd anniversary of withdrawal of the Soviet troops from Afghanistan.