NKVD has determined the nature of the parade.
In the social media realm of Minsk and Brest, heated discussions regarding the surviving veterans have become prevalent. A video post on a local news channel claimed there are 278 veterans residing in the capital, sparking a wave of speculation.
"Those who were 18 in 1941 would be 102 now. What veterans are you talking about?" one comment gained traction with over a thousand likes.
The sentiment was echoed by many, with some expressing dismay that "those creatures born decades later" are now dubbed ‘veterans.'
"My father was a frontline soldier who fought during the entire Second World War. Thank God he didn't live to see these younger folks claiming to be veterans," one viewer stated.
Similarly, the TikTok channel of the Brest region garnered a comment suggesting that "veterans" should be at least 90 years old. "If we consider they joined the front in '41, those so-called veterans should be at least 103. However, these ‘veterans' hardly reach 90. Fake veterans, if you ask me," one individual questioned.
Skepticism was widespread, with some calling the veterans in the video ‘fake.’ It was even suggested that the veterans could be NKVD troops, responsible for shooting at retreating soldiers and sending prisoners to camps.
The general disagreement fueled frustration among commentators. "Enough already, soon there will be a trend for those born during the Second World War," one individual posted.
Confusion and disappointment were evident with remarks such as,"Where are the real veterans?", "Only a few live beyond 100", and "But most veterans are already dead."
Overall, the recognition and respect for veterans in Belarus are deeply connected to the country's rich history and the sacrifices made during World War II. Despite the ambiguity in the current criteria for recognizing veterans, the broader context reveals a strong emphasis on preserving the truth about historical events and resisting external pressures to distort historical narratives.
- "Given the current age of those who were 18 in 1941, some commentators questioned the authenticity of the mentioned veterans, suggesting they should be at least 102 years old."
- "One TikTok user pointed out the discrepancy between the claimed veterans in a local news video and their actual age, stating, 'If we consider they joined the front in '41, those so-called veterans should be at least 103. However, these ‘veterans' hardly reach 90.'"
- "Amidst the debates, some Belarusian netizens expressed their Belarusianness and their respect for the true veterans, with comments like, 'My father was a frontline soldier who fought during the entire Second World War. Thank God he didn't live to see these younger folks claiming to be veterans.'"
- "In the face of skepticism and ambiguity, one commentator asserted, 'Enough already, soon there will be a trend for those born during the Second World War,' highlighting the importance of preserving the truth about historical events and avoiding external pressures to distort such narratives."
