SAUR-MOGILA (Shakhtyorsk District), Sep 7 - DAN. Several thousand people rallied at at the Saur Mogila Memorial Complex in the east of the Donetsk People’s Republic on Friday ahead of the celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of Donbass liberation from Nazi troops.
Heads of DPR ministries and departments, People’s Council deputies, municipal and district administration officials and activists joined the rally.
“Today’s meeting honours the 75th anniversary of Donbass liberation. This holiday is overshadowed by tragic events which lends it even more significance. The tragic death of Alexander Zakharchenko reminds us that people here sacrifice themselves for the sake of our future,” head of the Young Republic social movement Nikita Kiosev told the Donetsk News Agency.
Acting DPR Head Dmitriy Trapeznikov is expected to join the rally.
Police, Emergencies Ministry personnel and medics are on hand at the venues of public events. The wind band of the Donetsk State Academic Philharmonic Society is performing.
The Saur Mogila Memorial Complex was unveiled on the hill bearing the same name in 1967. It comprised a 36-meter-high stele and the sculpture of a Soviet soldier. Later on an eternal fire was lit in memory of the WWII soldiers killed in fighting for the strategic height. The memorial complex took heavy damage in the August 2014 fighting. DPR authorities launched restoration works. The Republic holds special events at Saur Mogila in the runup to Victory Day and Donbass Liberation Day every year.*jk