Cemetery for Wehrmacht soldiers opened in Russia

A new cemetery has been opened in central Russia, but this one is a bit different from others across the country: The site honors the German soldiers killed in Russia during World War II.

Almost 25,000 Germans have already been buried in a cemetery near the village Besedino in Kursk Region, in a move Russia hopes will be viewed as a sign of reconciliation.

However, the decision to build the cemetery was not easy, the governor of the Kursk region Aleksandr Mikhailov told Vesti TV Channel. He noted that the Nazi occupation of Kursk destroyed over 300 villages in the region, leaving thousands dead or homeless.

“Still, the region administration and our war veterans find the building of the cemetery timely,” Mikhailov said. The governor explained that the site will not only become a place of memory and mourning, but will also contribute to understanding and reconciliation between Russia and Germany.

The ceremony was attended by relatives of those who lost their lives during the war.

It is the 11th cemetery of its kind in Russia, and for local residents it represents forgiveness.