“Who rests here?” a visitor once asked. Here we stand at Bratscoe Military Cemetery № 3. It is a place of somber reflection. Bratscoe Military Cemetery № 3 is not just a burial ground. It is a memorial to the soldiers. These soldiers perished during the Soviet-Finnish War of 1939-1940. They also died in the Great Patriotic War from 1941-1944.
This cemetery in Kirillovskoye holds the remains of heroes. Among them are soldiers of the 40th Order of the Red Banner Tank Brigade. These soldiers fought bravely against the Finns. One such hero is V.P. Kirillov. He died in battle with the Finns. In 1948, the village of Perk-yarvi was renamed Kirillovskoye in his honor.
Bratscoe Military Cemetery № 3 also serves as a resting place. It is for soldiers from the Kirillov Military School. In May 1976, the Leningrad City Council recognized the cemetery’s importance. Around the 25th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, a memorial plaque was unveiled here. It commemorates Hero of the Soviet Union V.S. Sukhov. Sukhov was a rifleman of the 14th company of the 72nd Infantry Division. He died liberating the Karelian Isthmus in 1944.
Memorial plaques list 654 names. According to OBD “Memorial”, 632 people are buried in the mass grave. The Vyborg RVC data indicates 724 interments. Among these, 98 remain unknown.
Bratscoe Military Cemetery № 3 is located in Kirillovskoye. It lies in a square, 100 meters east of the Kirillovskoye railway station. Today, visitors come to pay their respects. They honor those who defended their homeland. The cemetery stands as a reminder of sacrifice. It also stands as a reminder of resilience in the face of war. Let us remember their courage. Let us also honor their memory.