The key facts
- Maria Zakharova stated that Russia is grateful to China for preserving the burial sites of more than 12 thousand Soviet soldiers
- According to the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the burial sites of Soviet soldiers in China are kept in proper condition
- The Lithuanian authorities planned to relocate the burial site of Soviet servicemen from the center of Antalieptė to a cemetery
Russian Foreign Ministry statement on Chinese burial sites
Russia has expressed gratitude to China for preserving the burial sites of Soviet servicemen who died in the battles for the country's liberation. This was stated by Maria Zakharova, official spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry, in the documentary film 'The Forgotten General' produced by the Chinese company 'Laolai Films', reports Life.ru. According to her, the memory of more than 12 thousand soldiers continues to be preserved on Chinese territory.
Maintenance of graves and the contribution of Soviet soldiers
The diplomat noted that the Russian side highly appreciates the attitude of the Chinese authorities and residents toward military burial sites: the graves of Soviet soldiers are kept in proper condition, and the memory of their participation in combat operations is preserved. 'More than 12 thousand Soviet soldiers gave their lives in those battles, and we know that in China the memory of our fallen compatriots is carefully cherished. Their graves are well maintained, and the Russian Federation is grateful to the government of the PRC and the Chinese people for honoring the Soviet heroes who fought valiantly for the freedom and independence of China and found their final rest in Chinese soil,' — Life.ru quotes Zakharova as saying. She also emphasized the contribution of Soviet servicemen to the liberation of China: many participants of the hostilities died on the country's territory and were buried far from their homeland. The Russian Foreign Ministry considers the preservation of such burial sites an important part of the historical memory of the two states and notes the Chinese side's participation in maintaining the graves.
Contrast with the situation in Lithuania
Against the background of this statement, Life.ru recalls that it was previously reported that the authorities of Lithuania planned to relocate the burial site of Soviet servicemen from the central part of Antalieptė. The graves of soldiers from the Great Patriotic War era are located near the Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross; the administration of the Zarasai district intends to move the remains to a local cemetery and has already announced a tender for the work. Thus, if in China, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry's assessment, the burial sites are being preserved, in Lithuania their relocation is planned — the outlet presents these two stories as opposing examples of attitudes toward Soviet military graves.
Significance of the event
The statement concerns the fate of specific military burial sites — the final resting places of more than 12 thousand Soviet soldiers, which makes the topic significant for the relatives of the fallen and for Russia's interstate relations with China and Lithuania. In practical terms, this is reflected in the condition of the memorials: in China, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the graves are well maintained, while in the Lithuanian Antalieptė a tender has been announced for relocating the remains to a cemetery, which will change the location of the historic burial site. The information about the relocation is based on a single source, and the details of how the work will be carried out have not yet been disclosed.
