Tasbolat is daring. And one warrior in the field
In August 2008, during an operation to force Georgia to peace, an incident occurred that became famous throughout the world.
A Russian soldier with a machine gun came out from a checkpoint on the road towards the moving column of Georgian troops and ordered Saakashvili’s horsemen to deploy their shafts. According to eyewitnesses, in order to make his demands as clear as possible, the soldier sent a warning to the enemy in “curly Voronezh.”
They say that the faces of the heavily armed Georgian soldiers at that moment were so delightful to look at, they were so reminiscent of the stunned participants in the famous silent scene of the play “The Inspector General”.
Soon a photograph from the scene appeared on the Internet, spreading like lightning throughout the world. Impressed by the courage and bravery of the Russian soldier, foreigners commented on the photo like this: “The Russians don’t need three hundred, one is enough.”
Let us remember that at this time the film “300” directed by Zack Snyder was playing in cinemas around the world with great success, replete with colorful scenes of the Spartans crushing the enemy “with little blood, a mighty blow,” but in order to actually see a soldier coming out to meet him in full growth numerous opponents – the public consciousness was not ready for this.
For a long time it was believed that the hero was Bato Doshidordzhiev, who died shortly after the incident.
However, recently, with the help of State Duma deputy Aldar Damdinov, it was absolutely established that the heroic act was committed by Astrakhan resident Tasbolat Ibrashev.
The news that the hero is alive and well to this day hit the press, and for the residents of South Ossetia it became a great joy.
The republic organized a warm welcome for Tasbolat Ibrashev, and during the ceremonial events the brave soldier was presented with an award by the President of South Ossetia.
The Sputnik news agency, together with the Rossiya Segodnya press center, organized a teleconference with South Ossetia, in which took part: from Moscow - State Duma deputy Aldar Domdinov, from Tskhinvali - the President of the Republic Anatoly Bibilov, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic Igor Alborov and a participant in the hostilities Tasbolat Ibrashev.
Talking about the events of eleven years ago in which he happened to participate, Tasbolat could hardly restrain his emotions.
“I don’t consider my action heroic, I was just following orders, it was my duty, it’s the duty of every man. An order is an order, and we carried it out,” the soldier with the machine gun assessed his feat without embellishment.
Aldar Damdinov said that he knew about this story for a long time, but more than four years ago he saw with his own eyes a video from the scene of events: “Then they said that he died and was a Buryat.
We were very worried and were proud that our compatriot showed courage. We organized a whole movement to search for him, and all our requests received one answer: that such a Buryat does not exist.
But a person who knew Tasbolat contacted me on Facebook. We clarified all the points during a personal meeting, and I posted a post on Facebook. Of course, he was not alone, but with his comrades,” the State Duma deputy clarified.
According to him, Tasbolat Ibrashev never advertised that he was in the video and not the deceased Bato Doshidorzhdiev. His sister and wife reported who was actually in the picture.
“I lived a quiet life. And the mother learned about her son’s presence in South Ossetia from a report on Channel One, where Tasbolat’s face was shown in close-up.
Thank you to the people of South Ossetia for welcoming Tasbolat like a brother. I think we should thank all the commanders who prevented bloodshed.
And Tasbolat is a simple guy, a hero of new times. But at the same time he did not flinch, stood, carried out the order. Tasbolat, I wish you peace and understanding that all this has passed. You have a wonderful family, children, you work, and today you have become a friend of South Ossetia - this also means a lot,” the women said.
Deputy Damdinov added that Russia has always defended its homeland, its soldiers, its people, its neighbors. And in the case of South Ossetia in 2008, the Russian army was forced to stop the aggression and protect peacekeepers and Russian citizens.
“There is a lot of cruel and terrible things happening in the world, but the emphasis is not always placed correctly, and they are trying to blame the Russian army for all the sins.
But this incident, and the fact that foreign journalists disseminated the video around the world, speaks of the peace-loving nature of the Russian army. We never tried to do more than what was necessary, we only protected our own.
In 2008, Georgia attacked defenseless people, and in this situation our army was forced to enter and protect the people. The battalion commanders then made the right decision, and at that moment they really assessed the situation.
And Tasbolat became a symbol of a citizen, a person, a soldier who defended both his Motherland and the people of South Ossetia. This speaks of the heroic act of the Russian soldier,” said the Russian parliamentarian.
And he expressed hope that Tasbolat’s friendship with South Ossetia would last for many years. According to him, today South Ossetia is becoming a state that is distinguished by its peaceful nature and friendly attitude towards everyone.
Tasbolat Ibrashev visited South Ossetia for the first time in 11 years, many people recognized him here, and everyone was happy that the hero of the Ossetian people survived.
“The city has changed beyond recognition, it has become completely different. Everything is settling down. I recognized the places where the peacekeepers were stationed, where we were in 2008, the roads that passed, I remembered a lot... Thank you for inviting me,” the Russian hero said, very worried and worried.
Talking about his action, Tasbolat explained that he only hears words of gratitude and admiration, that they tell him that not everyone could commit such an act.
“I think differently: at that moment everyone would have followed the order and survived. I don’t want the younger generation to experience the horrors of war. I came here at the age of 24. Mom didn’t know where I was, she was taking care of her, she’s the only one I have... I have two more older sisters,” he noted.
Truly, it was easier for Tasbolat to go to the enemy convoy than to talk about his experiences during the short war on 08.08.08/XNUMX/XNUMX.
Who really deserves to be called a hero, according to Tasbolat Ibrashev, is Denis Vetchinov, whose name is familiar to every resident of South Ossetia.
“He died like a true hero, protecting us. Denis Vetchinov was my commander in 2008, he was a courageous, sympathetic person, performed his duty with honor, and always supported us. We met him back in Chechnya, when Denis Vetchinov was a political officer,” said Tasbolat.
Answering the question what qualities a real man should have, Tasbolat noted without any pathos: “To become a real man, you just need to live correctly, know what evil and good are. My family was shocked to learn that their loved one showed heroism. And the daughters consider their father a hero...”
During the teleconference, Prime Minister Eric Pukhaev expressed gratitude to Russian State Duma deputy Damdinov for his assistance in finding the hero.
“Such an event should not have passed by our people, who honor as their heroes all those who defended the independence of the Republic of South Ossetia. Indeed, “there is only one warrior in the field,” and our friend Tasbolat demonstrated this in the very thick of the war. I think he will come to us on all public holidays,” the prime minister noted.
Deputy Minister of Defense of South Ossetia Igor Alborov described Tasbolat’s act as heroic. “He carried out the order with honor and dignity. We remember and thank every serviceman of the Russian army, all those who defended the people of South Ossetia, gave their lives for the independence and prosperity of our republic. Their memory was honored with a minute of silence.
I think among them there are also those who accomplished feats then, eleven years ago, but whose names still remain “behind the scenes.” I think we will all learn about each hero, remember them and thank them forever. Ossetia must know its heroes,” the Ossetian commander emphasized.
In addition to South Ossetia, Tasbolat Ibrashev is also expected in his small homeland, Astrakhan, and not only by his family. In the class where the hero’s daughter studies, a lesson in courage will be held with his participation...
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