Memorable date in the history of Bendery

They recalled today the tragic events that took place on April 1, 1992 in the city of Bendery. Moldovan nationalists early in the morning with the support of armored personnel carriers shot down a traffic militia patrol car, guardsmen who rushed to their aid and a bus with workers from a cotton-spinning factory. Six people died.

The street where the tragedy occurred was named in the early 2000s after a Bendery militiaman who came under fire from Moldovan nationalists. Militia captain Grigory Yechin was seriously wounded on April 1, 1992. Doctors performed several operations, he lived for almost two months and died on May 26, 1992. His wife Lyudmila Nikolaevna Echina still lives in her native Bendery and every weekday on her way to work she makes a small detour to walk along the street named after her husband.

Lyudmila Nikolaevna talks sparingly about the events of the morning of April 1, 1992. She says she didn't have any particular premonitions. Only, contrary to family tradition, she nevertheless got up and led her husband to the service. She heard about what happened already on the way to work. At the bus stop, an unfamiliar woman began to tell that they fired at a militia car on the bridge. She found out about what really happened and that her husband suffered at work.

An Orthodox chapel was built at the site of the tragedy in the early 2000s. According to tradition, commemorative events are held every year here. Special words of support to the families of the defenders of Pridnestrovie were addressed by the President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic Vadim Krasnoselsky. The PMR President recalled the events that took place in the young republic on the eve of this tragic date. He gave his assessment of the events of April 1, 1992.

The PMR President spoke about nationalism, which raised its head in the late 80s of the last century, about attempts to deprive Pridnestrovie of the opportunity to speak their native language, whatever it may be, and to sow interethnic discord. Vadim Krasnoselsky especially noted the peacefulness of our republic and the desire for dialogue based on the principles of equality and mutual respect. The President in conclusion expressed gratitude to the defenders of Pridnestrovie and condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

The first President of the republic Igor Smirnov spoke about the importance of preserving the memory of the feat of the defenders of Pridnestrovie.

The fact that April 1, 1992 is a tragic date in the history of Bendery was mentioned in an interview with the parliamentary press service by Alexander Korshunov, Chairman of the PMR Supreme Council.

Flowers to the graves of the defenders of Pridnestrovie lay not only in the memorial stone installed in the chapel on Echin Street. Immediately after the laying at the Borisov cemetery of the city, where there is an Alley of Heroes, the Orthodox clergy performed a memorial service. Then fresh flowers lay on the graves of the defenders of Bendery. The country's leadership left flowers near a memorial plate installed on one of the city houses in honor of the Head of the Bendery Department of Internal Affairs in 1992, Vasily Kalko, who took part in the defense of the city and the entire republic from nationalists.

The republic continues events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the repulse of the large-scale aggression of Moldova against the Pridnestrovian people.