Ambassador of Belarus Takes Part in Ceremony Marking the 80th Anniversary of Bratislava’s Liberation

A solemn commemorative ceremony took place on April 4, 2025, at the Slavín Memorial Complex in Bratislava to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Slovak capital from Nazi occupation during the Second World War.

The event was attended by Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Fico, members of the Slovak Government, parliamentary leaders, representatives of major political parties, the diplomatic corps, and public organizations. The Republic of Belarus was represented by Ambassador Andrei Dapkiunas.

The ceremony began with the laying of wreaths and flowers at the central monument of the Slavín complex. In their speeches, officials highlighted the historical importance of this date and stressed the need to preserve the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for peace and freedom. Participants also condemned ongoing efforts to rewrite the history of the Second World War and distort the legacy of the liberators.

During a brief conversation with Prime Minister Robert Fico, Ambassador Dapkiunas expressed gratitude to the Slovak head of government for his principled stance and civic courage in defending the historical truth about the heroism of the Red Army and the peoples of the Soviet Union.

April 4, 1945, marks the liberation of Bratislava during the Bratislava-Brno Offensive Operation carried out by the troops of the 2nd Ukrainian Front under the command of Marshal of the Soviet Union Rodion Malinovsky. Despite fierce resistance from the enemy, Soviet forces successfully liberated the city after two days of intense fighting.

The Slavín Memorial Complex, where the ceremony was held, is the final resting place of 6,845 Red Army soldiers who died in the battle for Bratislava. The centerpiece of the complex is a towering obelisk crowned by a statue of a Soviet soldier holding a flag – a lasting symbol of the city’s liberation and a tribute to the bravery of its liberators.

Print version