Russia to remember the heroes - paratroopers killed in Argun Gorge

Today in Russia it is a  tragic date . 15 years ago, on the night of March 1, 2000 in Chechnya at a height of 776 in the Argun Gorge in a fierce battle with militants died 6th company of the 104th Regiment of the 76th Pskov Airborne Division. Of the 90 paratroopers, who took the fight to the superior forces of the extremists, 84 were killed, including 13 officers.

Then, in February 2000, the military phase of the second Chechen war was ended. After the fall of Grozny and Châteaux (the last major settlements of  Chechnya, remained in the hands of extremists), according to the federal command, defeated rebels were divided into small groups and spread out on the mountain bases. However, they concentrated, most commanders, including Shamil Basayev and Khattab, offered to break in a northeasterly direction, toward the Dagestani border. One of the most obvious ways of retreat was the Argun Gorge. Just near the village of Ulus-Kert, according to various sources, from 1.5 to 2.5 thousand well-trained fighters were concentrated. On the part of federal troops to cover this area, among other units t 6 -th combined unit of paratroopers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Mark Evtyuhin was sent, which was tasked to take line 4 km southeast of Ulus-Kert to avoid possible breakthrough of militants in the direction of Vedeno. 6th company entrenched in dominant height 776, but the militants went through. Battle of Ulus-Kert began on 29 February and continued throughout the next day. Although the paratroopers were left without help, except of break  of10 scouts of 4th company and fire support and artillery, they fought to the death. On the morning of March 1,  a melee began, and at the critical moment, Lieutenant Colonel Evtyuhin called artillery fire on himself, on March 2, the remaining fighters swept Aviation and artillery attacked.

For courage and heroism 22 of paratroopers were awarded the title of Hero of Russia, 21 of them - posthumously. 69 soldiers and officers were awarded the Order of Courage, 63 of them - posthumously.

Memory of the heroes is immortalized in Russia. Since 2002, the Pskov region adorns a huge dome - a monument to work, honored by  architect Russian Anatoly Tsarik. On the inside of it there are 84 signatures. School № 5 in  Pskov is named after battalion commander, Lt. Col. Mark Evtyuhin, one of the streets of the city was renamed in honor of the heroic 6th company

Administration of the Chechen capital has also perpetuated the memory of paratroopers  in the  Staropromyslovskiy district of Grozny street 9th Line renamed after 84-s Pskov paratroopers.