23 may 2011

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin lays a bouquet of red roses at the monument to paratroopers of the Pskov airborne division who lost their lives in battle in the mountains of Chechnya in 2000

Participants:

Almost the entire 6th company – 84 men, including 13 officers – perished holding off an onslaught of more than 2,000 commandos in the Battle for Height 776 near the village of Ulus-Kert in the Argun Gorge in the small hours of March 1, 2000. The company belonged to the 76th Guards Airborne Division from Pskov. About 500 commandos were killed during the battle. This is one of the most well-known engagements of the Second Chechen War. Only one of the 22 paratroopers who received the title Hero of Russia survived; 69 officers and men were awarded the Order of Courage for their efforts in this battle, 63 posthumously.

Pursuant to the decree of the Russian president of July 21, 2000, a monument was built in Pskov (unveiled August 1, 2002) in honour of the fallen. Vladimir Putin took part in the ceremonial laying of the monument’s cornerstone.