“Who rests here?” a visitor once asked. Today we stand before the Bratscaya mogila razvedchikov a poignant reminder of sacrifice. This is a communal grave of scouts. It honors those who served in the Second Separate Reconnaissance Battalion of the 55th Army.
The Bratscaya mogila razvedchikov marks the final resting place for many brave soldiers. These scouts were part of a battalion formed in Leningrad in September 1941. They were initially stationed in Rybatskoye village. Later they moved to Ust-Izhora. They remained there until July 29, 1942.
From March to July 1942, the officers and soldiers of the battalion conducted 44 combat operations. These were active intelligence missions. They destroyed 64 firing points. They eliminated 17 dugouts. They killed 445 enemy soldiers and officers. They seized valuable documents.
The battalion suffered heavy losses. A total of 253 soldiers died. Many are buried in the Bratscaya mogila razvedchikov here in Ust-Izhora. Another 108 are buried elsewhere in the Kolpinsky district.
In the late 1950s, veterans sought to memorialize this site. Peter Mikhailovich Chernov and Lydia Alekseevna led the effort. They aimed to honor their fallen comrades.
The original site was modest. A sign displayed just two dozen names.
In 1988 a temporary memorial was installed. It was a simple stele designed by G.M. Martyugova. Veterans attended the opening on May 9.
A more permanent memorial was established in 2001. Architect O.B. Golynkin designed the monument. A central stele bears words of dedication. They are inscribed “Eternal memory to the heroic defenders of Leningrad 1941-1945.” Golden lettering displays an evangelical quote. It reads “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Though vandalism has occurred, the Bratscaya mogila razvedchikov endures. It stands as a testament to bravery. It is a somber place for reflection. In memory of those scouts who gave everything for their country.