"Memory Watch-2026": 35 searchers from Zainsk have gone to excavations in the Volgograd region

      Participants of the search squad "Guard" will search for soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War for two weeks. On April 23, a ceremonial send-off for the members of the military-patriotic club "Guard" took place at the Soldier-Liberator monument in Zainsk, marking their departure for the search expedition "Watch of Memory-2026" in the Volgograd region. Children from kindergartens, young army members, representatives of the district administration, and concerned citizens of Zainsk gathered to see off the searchers on their long journey. For 14 days, the members of the search squad will live in field conditions, conducting excavations and searching for the remains of soldiers, fulfilling the crucial mission of returning the names to fallen heroes and providing them with honorable burials with military honors. The search for those who died on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War will be carried out by 35 searchers – working youth, students, and schoolchildren. As reported by the leader of the "Guard" search squad, Viktor Nikiforov, this year the searchers will participate in excavations near the Dmitrievka farm in the Gorodishchensky district of the Volgograd region. Here, during the war, the 120th Rifle Division fought, which included soldiers from Tatarstan. Along with the Zainsk team, four more squads from the republic will be working. The return to their hometown is scheduled for May 8. "It is gratifying that with each passing year our ranks are replenished with young patriots. Participation in the 'Watch of Memory' and the excavations of the remains of Soviet soldiers who died for the safety of the country is work that evokes genuine emotions. Here, our youth matures, goes through serious trials, and their sense of patriotism strengthens. We are grateful to the district administration and entrepreneurs who constantly support this direction," noted Viktor Mikhailovich. The deputy head of the city, Sergey Maximov, who came to see off the searchers, also emphasized that they are doing a noble and necessary job. "We owe our current life to our grandfathers, who fought for the independence of the country during the Great Patriotic War, and to our grandmothers, who selflessly worked in the rear. Participation in the 'Watch of Memory' is, firstly, a tribute to that generation, and secondly, a huge contribution to the education of youth. It is no coincidence that it is said that the war is not over until the last soldier is buried. Thank you to everyone who has taken on this noble cause," he said. The deputy chairman of the district council of veterans, Alexey Alekseev, and military commissioner Dinar Khasanov also spoke with parting words. It should be noted that the "Guard" search squad was created in Zainsk in 2012 under the youth affairs administration. Since then, our patriots, under the leadership of Viktor Nikiforov, have participated in the excavation and burial of the remains of more than 400 warriors. Active participants who have been going on excavations in the Volgograd region for several consecutive years were awarded silver badges "For Distinction in the Search Movement of the Republic of Tatarstan." These include Dmitry Antonov, Oleg Dubinin, Maxim Filippov, Yevgeny Nikiforov, and Natalia Sinyagina. Doctor Oleg Dubinin is participating in the "Watch of Memory" for the third time: "I am proud to be part of such an important mission. Although I am mainly responsible for the health of the searchers, excavating the remains of soldiers who fell on the battlefield, and especially deciphering soldiers' medallions, evokes inexplicable feelings. There is a lot of work for me as a doctor because conducting excavations in field conditions is not easy for the guys." Among the participants of this year's "Watch of Memory" are many who are taking on this task for the first time. Among them are first-year student of the polytechnic college Yan Denisov and 7th-grade student of school No. 6 Emil Zinnurov. The guys say they have long wanted to join the search movement, and age restrictions were the only thing holding them back. Now they are ready to work tirelessly. The squad also includes five girls with hearts full of patriotism. This time, 8th-grade student of school No. 4 Nadezhda Mironova joined them: "From a young age, I participated in school patriotic events. My dream was to go on excavations with the search squad. Finally, this year I am also among them. I feel that there is a big and responsible job ahead," says Nadezhda. We wish our searchers successful excavations, the opportunity to find the remains of many soldiers, and a safe return to their hometown. Photo by Endzhe Aglyamova. Irina Smirnova.

      More news about the event:

      "Watch of Memory-2026": 35 Zainsk searchers went to excavations in the Volgograd region. Participants of the search squad "Guard" will search for soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War for two weeks. On April 23, a ceremonial send-off took place at the Soldier-Liberator monument in Zainsk. 19:37 23.04.2026 News of Zainsk - Zainsk.

      "Watch of Memory-2026": 35 Zainsk searchers went to excavations in the Volgograd region. Participants of the search squad "Guard" will search for soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War for two weeks. On April 23, a ceremonial send-off took place at the Soldier-Liberator monument in Zainsk. 18:31 23.04.2026 Zainsk-Inform - Zainsk.

      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

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