The Russian government and various patriotic organizations have ramped up efforts to commemorate military history and honor the sacrifices of current heroes through initiatives such as the interactive memorial mapping project, МестоПамяти.РФ, and upcoming memorial events.
During a recent press conference at the TASS press center on February 21, key figures from the Russian Military Historical Society, including First Deputy Executive Director Alexander Konovchenko, discussed the importance of creating a national memory map under the initiative dubbed “Место Памяти: Герои СВО” (Place of Memory: Heroes of the Special Military Operation). "МестоПамяти.РФ – это 'народная карта' объектов военно-исторического наследия," Konovchenko emphasized, noting the capacity for public involvement.
This resource currently marks nearly 98,000 memorial sites across Russia and abroad, allowing citizens to contribute to the upkeep and historical awareness of these locations. The initiative, kicked off with the goal of updating and documenting memorial sites related to heroes of the recent conflict, exemplifies the country’s desire for public participation.
President Vladimir Putin previously singled out this project at the CIS Heads of State Council, labeling it as pivotal for preserving the memorial heritage of World War II. The platform allows anyone to not only locate historical monuments, including military graves and eternal flames, but also to engage in their preservation. Konovchenko explained, "Возможности ресурса позволяют привлечь всех неравнодушных к делу сохранения памяти. И не просто отмечать памятные места, но и передавать сведения об их состоянии." Martin Mott, director of the Foreign Ministry's Information and Press Department, stressed the global significance of the memorial map, stating, "Значительная часть из 13 тысяч зарубежных объектов добавлена в базу данных российскими дипломатами," as they continue to work on documenting these historical sites abroad.
For the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland, the Russian Military Historical Society aims to focus on enhancing current memorial data related to heroes of the Special Operation. Activities tied to this understatement will include memorial plaques dedicated to 111 Heroes of Russia, with names clearly marked on the map, celebrating their contributions.
The engagement of youth and public institutions is integral to keeping the spirit of remembrance alive. "Это живая память, которую мы все должны сохранить," asserted Mikhail Myagkov, the scientific director of the Russian Military Historical Society, underscoring the need to involve the younger generation. This creates not just awareness but actionable opportunities for young people to connect with their history directly.
The initiative promotes activities surrounding these memorials to keep the memories of heroes alive, which include community clean-up days, lectures, and other remembrance events. Not only does this cultivate historical consciousness, but it serves to strengthen community bonds and instills national pride.
Looking ahead, significant campaigns are already on the agenda, marking the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory with efforts including “Место памяти: Вечный огонь” (Place of Memory: Eternal Flame) for early 2025. This will focus on assessing the condition of memorial sites linked to World War II, including overseas locations, as well as the “Место памяти: всё для Победы” (Place of Memory: Everything for Victory) across key labor cities.
These events are not merely spatial mappings of the past; they are responsible actions by current generations to celebrate and preserve the narratives of those who came before. Dmitry Voroshilov, head of the local branch of the Russian Military Historical Society, noted, "В Пятигорске 31 объект воинской славы. Все они уже внесены на портал 'МестоПамяти.РФ'," demonstrating the exhaustive efforts to map these significant sites.
These undertakings serve as fundamental reminders of the shared identity forged through collective history and honor. The mission remains clear: to chart, honor, and actively engage with Russia's proud militaristic narrative through continuous patriotic initiatives.