Kamyshin stele commemorating Stalingrad valor left unopened on anniversary

In central Kamyshin (Volgograd Oblast, Russia) today, on the 83rd anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Stalingrad, authorities did not open the stele «Stalingrad Valor Line». The obelisk on the renovated Fallen Fighters Square is fully ready, but officials refused to ceremoniously unveil it on the holiday. Officials say all events related to the «Stalingrad Valor Line» are decided by the apparatus of Governor Andrey Bocharov. Local residents, in turn, assume the regional head will not make it to them.

Recall that both projects in central Kamyshin and near the administration building—the stele and the square renovation—were supposed to be completed by the day the Soviet counteroffensive began near Stalingrad, November 19. However, no ceremonial opening took place that day, and construction work continued. Notably, over 40 million rubles (approx. $400,000 at current rates) were allocated from the budget for them. The creation and installation of the stele was handled by LLC «Granit», registered in Chechnya, Russia. This same contractor installed a stele on Fallen Fighters Square in Gorodishche, where the company was fined a total of 300,000 rubles (approx. $3,000).

Today, despite residents« expectations, there was no ceremonial opening of the stele, nor any visit by high-profile guests. The press service of the Kamyshin administration reported that an opening on February 2 is not planned. When asked when the ceremonial opening will be, they said this question should be addressed only to the Volgograd Oblast administration.

Meanwhile, active local residents suggested the ceremonial event on Fallen Fighters Square along with the stele opening will take place on May 9.

«Probably, Bocharov will come in spring. He is always in Kamyshin on May 9 because a 101-year-old war veteran lives here. The last combat veteran of the Battle of Stalingrad. Bocharov visits him around May 7. It»s been two years in a row now. Naturally, a number of patriotic and other events are held along the way,« one of the residents says.

V1.RU is clarifying with the press service of the Volgograd Oblast governor«s apparatus on what date the stele opening is planned.

Recall that ahead of the 83rd anniversary of the Stalingrad Victory, the memorial sign «Stalingrad Valor Line» was opened in Surovikino. In total, eight settlements have been awarded the title «Stalingrad Valor Line»: Kletskaya, Kotelnikovo, Serafimovich, Kamyshin, as well as Gorodishche, Svetly Yar, and Oktyabrsky.