The 32nd anniversary of the tragedy in Bendery

Moldovan military formations and police units, despite the parties’ agreement to withdraw forces from the confrontation line, attacked the peaceful city of Bendery from several sides on June 19, 1992. Pridnestrovians finally realized that they would have to fight with weapons in their hands for the right to live in their native land and speak their native language on this day. The fighting went on for more than a month. More than 800 Pridnestrovians were killed and at least 1400 were injured according to official data. More than 100 thousand refugees left the city. More than 1300 houses and almost all educational and health facilities were completely or partially destroyed in the city. Almost 50 enterprises were eviscerated and destroyed.

According to tradition the day began with memorial services in all churches of the republic today, 32 years later. They prayed for the repose of the souls of those killed in 1992 in the Church of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky, reports the press service of the PMR President. The service was conducted by Archbishop of Tiraspol and Dubossary Sawa. The prayer service was attended by the President of the PMR Vadim Krasnoselsky, Chairman of the Supreme Council Alexander Korshunov, Chairman of the Government Alexander Rosenberg, representatives of ministries and departments, and the leadership of the city of Bendery.

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The entrance to Bendery from Tiraspol became the site of fierce fighting in 1992. It was important not to let Moldovan units get to the other side of the Dniester. It was there on the first anniversary of the Bendery Tragedy Day, June 19, 1993, that the first object of the memorial complex was opened – a restored infantry fighting vehicle, the crew of which died in the first days of the fighting. The Eternal Flame was lit in front of the infantry-fighting vehicle (BMP). An open chapel appeared on the Memorial 2 years later, in 1995. A memorial sign was unveiled at the Monument on the 6th anniversary of the formation of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic in 1996: 5 reinforced concrete structures on which fragments of marble were placed with the names of those who died in Bendery in the summer of 1992. A monument to the commander of the 14th Army, Lieutenant General Alexander Lebed, who played a decisive role in ending the bloodshed on the banks of the Dniester, appeared at the Bendery memorial in 2012.

Residents and guests of the city of Bendery come to the Memorial of Memory and Sorrow to honor the memory of those who gave their lives to protect their native land every year. Surviving defenders of the republic come here to remember their comrades in battle.

The defenders of Bendery were remembered by name, according to tradition. Deputies of the Supreme Council of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic took part in the solemn flower-laying ceremony.

June 19, 1992 is one of the most sorrowful pages in the history of our country. Deputies of parliament were convinced to prevent a repetition of these events and to remember the people who defended their native land is the sacred duty of every Pridnestrovian.

Bendery lost 489 people dead, including 132 civilians and children in the bloody summer of 1992. 1242 people were injured. 40 people are missing.

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Fresh flowers were placed today at the “City of Military Glory” memorial sign, at the memorial sign erected at the site of the death of a column of guardsmen on June 23, 1992, and at the memorial sign erected in honor of the women defenders of Pridnestrovie, participants in the blockade of the railway. The top officials of the state laid flowers at the monument to the defenders and civilians who died in 1992, which is located on the territory of the Military Historical Memorial Complex.