On 9 February, Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia Ella Pamfilova received a reply from the Governor of Smolensk Region, which said that the finances to restore the mass graves in Bogolyubovo and Lyady villages were to be provided right after all documents were prepared. The lists of names of those who died there have been specified: more than 2.5 thousand Soviet soldiers having participated in World War II remain buried in these mass graves.

The Governor also said that in addition to restoring the mentioned mass graves some other measures to restore military monuments, memorials and burial sites will be taken in Smolensk region. To mark the 70th Victory Day, it is planned to utilise around seven million roubles of regional budget for these purposes.

Previously, the Commissioner received an appeal from daughter of Captain F. buried in the mass grave nearby Bogolyubovo village. The applicant drew her attention to the dilapidated condition of the monument to Soviet soldiers. For more than six years she had been applying to multiple authorities for assistance in restoration. Eventually, the money was collected by the woman’s family and post office officers, but the restoration failed to start anyway.

Photo: smolnarod.ru