MINSK, 10 June (BelTA) - Over 470 people have submitted applications to participate in the Second International Patriotic Forum of the Union State
Great Heritage, Shared Future, Vadim Ipatov, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives, told reporters before a meeting of the Commission on the Preservation and Protection of Historical Memory of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia,
BelTA has learned.
The Second International Patriotic Forum of the Union State Great Heritage, Shared Future will take place in Brest on 21 and 22 June. “Accreditation for forum participants began on 1 June. More than 470 have already registered. They will take part in sessions of three breakout sessions. Representatives from foreign parliaments will also actively participate in the breakout sessions. As part of the forum, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia will convene for a meeting and is expected to pass a declaration on the genocide of the Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War,” Vadim Ipatov said.
“Moreover, this issue will be the subject of discussion at today's meeting of the Commission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia,” Vadim Ipatov emphasized. “In Belarus, criminal cases are being investigated regarding the genocide of the Belarusian people. In terms of overall figures, these are over 13,000 of settlements in Belarus who were burned down together with their residents. Therefore, this is extremely important work. The victory in the Great Patriotic War is, above all, a feat of the Soviet people. The Soviet people suffered the most during the Great Patriotic War. This is precisely why this declaration will be the subject of discussion at today’s meeting, and subsequently at the meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia,” he said.
“The forum will be held on Brest soil,” Vadim Ipatov said. “It was among the first to take the blow of the Nazi German invaders. It was here that serious resistance was first mounted, showing that we would fight for our sovereignty and independence. On 22 June, marking 85 years since Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union, it is certainly our duty to pay tribute to the victors. MPs and international guests will take part in a commemorative rally at the Brest Hero Fortress memorial complex,” he said.
"The Commission on the Preservation and Protection of Historical Memory of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia was established on the initiative of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Its work is of paramount importance. Today, we are on the front lines of a cognitive war. They want to strip us of meaning, to rob us of our victory. Therefore, preserving and protecting the memory of the great feat of the Soviet people is a crucial task,” Vadim Ipatov emphasized.
He also outlined the topics to be addressed during the meeting. “Today, we will review the progress in the implementation of our commission’s decisions. Furthermore, we are certainly proud of the work that has already been done. In particular, we have restored the historical memory regarding the legendary fighter pilot Nikolai Terekhin. On 30 March 2026, Vladimir Putin signed a decree awarding Nikolai Terekhin the title of Hero of the Russian Federation (posthumously). This is the restored historical justice, a feat accomplished in the skies over Mogilev,” Vadim Ipatov said.