INRTU Students Participated in the VI International Youth Expedition in Mongolia

Ekaterina Todorenko and Alexander Krivonogov fr om Irkutsk took part in the VI International Youth Expedition “Memory Is Stronger than Time” on August 17-September 5. The historical and educational tour was dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the defeat of the Japanese invaders by the Soviet-Mongolian troops.

The expedition was organized by the Irkutsk Foundation for the Support of Combatants and the All-Russian Veterans Organization with the support of the regional government, the Legislative Assembly and Sergey Ten, a deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

The Battle of Khalkhin-Gol River is a conflict that lasted fr om the spring to the fall of 1939. It was triggered by Japanese attacks on Mongolian border posts by Manchukuo-Go, a puppet state created by Japanese militarists in the occupied territory of China. The Red Army, which was in Mongolia under a mutual aid protocol, had to intervene in the conflict. In the battles the Kwantung Army lost 61 thousand fighters; the joint losses of the Soviet-Mongolian troops amounted to 18.5 thousand people

The thematic expedition “Memory Is Stronger than Time” is held for the purpose of patriotic education of young people, strengthening historical, cultural and humanitarian ties between Russia and Mongolia. It started on August 16 with a solemn meeting at the memorial “Eternal Flame of Glory”. The Governor of the Angara Region Igor Kobzev, the Mayor of Irkutsk Ruslan Bolotov, the Consul of Mongolia in Irkutsk Dondoo Chuluunbaatar addressed the participants with parting words. The route was fr om Baikalsk to Khalkhin-Gol (more than 5000 kilometers in total). 24 students from Irkutsk visited Mongolia.

The expedition included two students of INRTU. They are Alexander Krivonogov, a second-year master student of the School of Aircraft Construction, Mechanical Engineering and Transport, and Ekaterina Todorenko, a third-year student of the School of Economics, Management and Law.

“I study journalism at university, and I am also a member of the student teaching club “Flibusters” and the StudUp editorial board. I learned about the opportunity to take part in the project “Memory Is Stronger than Time” from the management staff, as I was previously an activist of the club “Patriotic Paratroopers”. I was offered not only to go on an expedition, but also to moderate a VKontakte group.

Thanks to the trip to Mongolia, I broadened my horizons, made new friends and gained valuable experience as a journalist. It was especially interesting to talk with a participant of the events of 1939, an amazingly brave woman who at the age of 16 was not afraid to go to war as a nurse”, commented Ekaterina Todorenko.

The participants of the expedition "Memory Is Stronger than Time" held ceremonial meetings in Mongolian settlements and were warmly welcomed in Ulaanbaatar, wh ere they visited museums and the house museum of Marshal Georgy Zhukov. They learned about Mongolia's military history and the Battle of the Khalkhin-Gol River. During the expedition, the group participated in activities such as singing, playing soccer and volleyball. They were greeted with cultural programs and had the opportunity to visit museums and meet local residents. Before arriving in Choibolsan, the fourth largest city in Mongolia, the participants held a competition and awarded prizes. In Choibolsan, the group laid wreaths at the memorial to Mongolian and Soviet soldiers who died in the battles on the Khalkhin-Gol River. The expedition arrived there on August 24 after a long journey.

During their visit to Mongolia, the Irkutsk group had a series of eventful experiences. They visited a sacred place, a statue of Buddha believed to protect Mongolian lands. They also attended the unveiling of a monument to Georgy Zhukov and joined a parade dedicated to the victory at Khalkhin-Gol and the completion of an exercise. In Ulaanbaatar, they met with the Russian Ambassador to Mongolia and visited the Museum of Cosmonautics and the Russian House, wh ere they learned about the wives of participants of the Special Military Operation, and had a press conference.

They also had meetings with the Ministry of Defense of Mongolia and Mongolian veterans, and received commemorative badges. Another highlight was their visit to the main border protection department, wh ere they learned about the events of 1939 and the importance of international search activities. Finally, they attended anniversary concert programs and visited a themed complex with a statue of Genghis Khan and an underground museum.