In Zainsk, a Desk of the Hero of Russia Sergey Chebnev was opened, and the 1st "A" class was named after the lieutenant colonel.

      At School No. 2, an event titled "Hero of Our Time. Call Sign 'Otmely'" took place, dedicated to the feat of a fellow countryman. On May 20, the silence at School No. 2 was special. Not the strict kind, where the sound of chalk is heard, but the kind that pierces through, when the heart speaks louder than words. In this building, where once the boyish voice of Sergey rang out during breaks, his name was heard again. But now as a legend.

      Two significant events occurred here, united by one fate — the fate of Lieutenant Colonel, a father of many children, and a true warrior with the call sign "Otmely," Hero of Russia Sergey Chebnev.

      "To ensure our children do not fight."

      On March 6, 2025, the whole country learned about him when the President presented the "Golden Star" to his widow. For Zainsk, Rybnaya Sloboda, and Kazan, he was always "one of their own" — an ordinary guy who studied here at School No. 2 for six years and lived in a regular house on Zelenaya Street.

      The idea of immersing into the history of the hero, realized by senior researcher of the local history museum Svetlana Dolgova, was fully successful. But the main keepers of memory were not photographs and personal belongings of the Hero, but the living voices — those who knew him as a child.

      At the meeting "Hero of Our Time. Call Sign 'Otmely'," came his mother Olga Konstantinovna, cousin Svetlana Revina, and caregiver Nadezhda Rusanova. A touching detail emerged: once they all lived in the same entrance on Zelenaya, 2. In the very one where Seryozha grew up.

      — What was he like? — the kids asked.

      — Ordinary. But with a huge heart, — replied his mother.

      She shared the main point: a retired military man with a reservation, a father of several children, he voluntarily went to the front lines. Not for glory. "To stop the war, so our children do not participate in it," — these words of Sergey became the leitmotif of the entire day.

      Photos changed on the screen, the song "Combat" played, and many in the hall had tears in their eyes. Because "Combat" is no longer an abstract image from the 90s. It is their fellow countryman, who personally led an assault group in a counterattack near Malaya Loknya in the Kursk region in August 2024. After receiving serious injuries under mortar fire and drone attacks, he did not leave. He stayed there so that the enemy landing would not penetrate the rear.

      The desk that became a symbol

      After the meeting, the "Hero's Desk" was ceremoniously opened. The right to sit at it first was given to the closest person — the Hero's mother, Olga Konstantinovna Chebnev.

      Students of the 1st "A" class in military uniforms recited poems about valor, and the guests — mother, sister, and caregiver — did not hide their pride. The director of School No. 2, Valentina Danilova, addressed the attendees with a welcoming speech. She emphasized that the feat of Sergey Chebnev is a moral compass for every student:

      — Sergey studied within these walls, sat at the same desks. And today, opening the Hero's Desk, we tell our children: heroes are not born far away, they grow out of us. As long as we remember — they are alive. And as long as such desks stand in schools — the connection between generations is alive.

      The class teacher of the first graders, Raisa Mayorova, added:

      — We are proud that the Hero of Russia studied in our school. This desk is a symbol of the living connection between generations. May Sergey’s feat forever remain in our hearts.

      The little ones bombarded Olga Konstantinovna with questions: what lesson did he like? Did he play sports? Did he love nature? And most importantly — did he decide to become a defender himself? The mother answered warmly and in detail, as if her son were alive, sitting somewhere nearby. Just like a mother would.

      Sergey always smiled, was kind, fair, righteous, a true patriot.

      The solemn opening of the "Hero's Desk" was marked by an important decision: the 1st "A" class of School No. 2 was named after Sergey Chebnev.

      Live forever

      After the opening, the participants of the ceremony went outside — to the memorial plaque installed a year ago. Flowers were laid at the cold stone. But the stone is not the main thing. The main thing is what is inside the children who looked at the photograph of their older comrade.

      "To be a warrior is to live forever," — said Svetlana Dolgova. And these are not just loud words. Sergey Chebnev truly made a choice that only a real hero can make. He could have stayed in the rear, but he went to protect the future of his children and all of us. He died fulfilling his duty. But the memory of him is just beginning.

      Do you know what kind of guy he was? Just like the best of us. He simply loved life and his homeland very much.

      Eternal memory to the Hero.

      Dossier: Hero of Russia Sergey Chebnev

      Sergey Chebnev was born in Rybnaya Sloboda on March 6, 1979. His childhood was spent in Zainsk: kindergarten, School No. 2. Then — Naberezhnye Chelny, Kazan Tank School. He served, retired, had a reservation. In October 2022, he voluntarily went to the special military operation.

      In August 2024, Lieutenant Colonel with the call sign "Otmely" personally led a counterattack, stopped the enemy's breakthrough to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, and saved about 300 comrades. He was mortally wounded but remained in the ranks until the end. He died as a hero — with a weapon in hand. In addition to the Order of Courage, medals "For Valor" and "Suvorov," he was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.

      Photo by the author

      Roza Ilaltdinova

      More news about the event:

      In Zainsk, the Hero's Desk of Russia's Sergey Chebnev was opened, and the 1st "A" class was named after the lieutenant colonel.

      At School No. 2, an event titled "Hero of Our Time. Call Sign 'Otmely'" took place, dedicated to the feat of a fellow countryman.

      On May 20, the silence at School No. 2 was special. 13:43 21.05.2026 Zainsk-Inform - Zainsk

      In Zainsk, the Hero's Desk of Russia's Sergey Chebnev was opened, and the 1st "A" class was named after the lieutenant colonel.

      At School No. 2, an event titled "Hero of Our Time. Call Sign 'Otmely'" took place, dedicated to the feat of a fellow countryman.

      On May 20, the silence at School No. 2 was special. 13:32 21.05.2026 News of Zainsk - Zainsk

      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

      Three "Hero's Desks" were opened in the Sverdlovsk region.

      An important and touching event took place at the GBOU "Sverdlovsk UVC No. 1" - the opening of three "Hero's Desks." 17:41 20.05.2026 Administration of the city of Sverdlovsk and Sverdlovsk district - Sverdlovsk

      In Cheboksary School No. 7, a "Hero's Desk" was opened in memory of SVO participant Sergey Bykov.

      In Cheboksary School No. 7, a "Hero's Desk" was opened in memory of SVO participant Sergey Bykov.

      A solemn opening of the "Hero's Desk" dedicated to a graduate took place at School No. 7 named after Oleg Bespalov. 09:15 19.05.2026 United Russia - Cheboksary