“No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten.” These poignant words have become a universal symbol of remembrance, inspiring the creation of numerous memorial complexes dedicated to World War II.

Our nation holds the memory of its heroes close to heart, honoring their courage with deep reverence. From their bravery, we learn how to live, create, and triumph, passing this legacy of resilience from one generation to the next. The names etched into bronze, granite, and marble memorials belong to those who gave their lives for freedom and a peaceful future. These monuments are more than architectural structures—they are enduring symbols of fortitude and valor, inspiring us to reach new heights.

Each year, on May 9 — the Day of Remembrance and Honor — we gather at these monuments to pay tribute to those who took part in that dark chapter of history. We remember their courage and sacrifice, knowing that it is thanks to such people that we now live under peaceful skies, building our lives and dreaming of the future.

The history of World War II is marked by numerous names that remain eternally etched in the memory of the people. Among these heroes is Mamadali Topivoldiyev, our compatriot and a fearless son of Uzbekistan, who demonstrated exceptional bravery and valor on the battlefields of Belarus. Topivoldiyevʼs courage has become a symbol of resilience and patriotism, instilling pride and inspiration in future generations. His legacy serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who fought for freedom and peace.

The memory of our heroes is not only a tribute to the past but also a responsibility to future generations. To ensure that the youth understand the immense sacrifices made to achieve peace and tranquility, we must share more stories about these individuals.

To honor one of Uzbekistanʼs great wartime figures, a team from “Xalq Soʻzi” and “Narodnoye Slovo” newspapers traveled to Belarus to explore locations associated with the military exploits of Uzbek war hero Mamadali Topivoldiyev. They visited the Kruhlaye District of the Mogilev region — the very land where Topvoldievʼs legendary courage was on full display.

The Invincible “Kazbek”

Mamadali Topivoldiyev was born in the Rishton District of Uzbekistanʼs Fergana Region. In 1939, he was drafted into the army and served as a driver-mechanic in a military unit stationed in Belarus. At that time, this young and dedicated Uzbek soldier could not have foreseen that he would be among the first from his homeland to confront the fascists, nor that his destiny would be intertwined with the land of Belarus for the rest of his life.

In the early hours of June 22, 1941, as Nazi Germany launched its invasion of the Soviet Union, 22-year-old Mamadali Topivoldiyev, then a junior soldier, and his comrades endeavored to repel the initial enemy assault. During this engagement, Topivoldiyev sustained injuries. In the ensuing days, his unit became encircled by German forces. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, Topivoldiyev led a small group in breaking through the encirclement, ultimately retreating into the forests of the Mogilev region. This act marked his first display of heroism in the Great Patriotic War.

During the Nazi occupation, Belarusian cities and villages suffered extensive destruction. A significant portion of the population was taken into captivity, leaving behind primarily the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and children, who endured extremely harsh living conditions.

“According to eyewitness accounts, the partisans gave the enemy no rest day or night, inflicted significant damage, and carried out operations that threw the fascists into disarray,” said Viya Gapaeva, director of the Kruhlaye District Museum of History and Local Lore. Below is a chronology of some operations carried out under Topivoldiyevʼs leadership and participation:

November 1941: Mamadali and fellow partisan Nikolai attack a Nazi camp in occupied Borisov, freeing 146 prisoners of war.

February 1942: During a reconnaissance mission in the village of Kruhlaye, Mamadali Topivoldiyev was captured but managed to escape once again. Subsequently, he gathered 13 soldiers from the villages of Pasirevo, Dudakovichi, and Oglobli to form a partisan group. Later, they joined the “Chekist” partisan detachment led by Gerasim Kirpich. This unit eventually evolved into a partisan brigade uniting Russians, Belarusians, Ukrainians, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Kyrgyz, and Moldovans.

July 1942: Under Mamadali Topivoldiyevʼs leadership, a partisan reconnaissance group attacked a German train traveling from Smolensk to Minsk. Near the Trotsilovo-Slavnaya station, the train was blown up, resulting in numerous enemy casualties.

January to June 1943: Mamadali Topivoldiyev participated in critical combat operations. His unit launched a surprise attack on the Nazi garrison in the center of Tolochin District, liberating hundreds of captured Soviet soldiers. Inspired by Topivoldiyevʼs actions, many of these soldiers joined the partisan ranks. Among them were Abdulla Bektemirov from Karakalpakstan, Berdikul Rakhimov from Besharik, Kurbon Haydarov from Kokand, Rahmatjon Yuldoshev from Asaka, and Karim Dadaboev from Tajikistan.

June 13–15, 1943: Mamadali Topivoldiyev single-handedly destroyed enemy light and cargo vehicles. During a reconnaissance mission near the village of Voronsevichi, he spotted an approaching enemy column. Allowing them to come within effective firing range, he opened fire with his automatic weapon. Surprised by the sudden attack, the fascist troops retreated after a brief skirmish.

August 26, 1943: In the village of Logovshchina, Mamadali Topivoldiyev engaged in combat single-handedly against an enemy detachment, eliminating numerous fascist soldiers.

October 1943: “Kazbek” devised an operation to eliminate a group of Germans who had arrived in the village of Podberezino to confiscate livestock—horses and goats—from the local population. In this engagement, Mamadali single-handedly killed dozens of fascist soldiers.

After each operation, Topivoldiyev would carve the word “Kazbek” into trees with his dagger, leaving a mark that kept the fascists in constant fear.

By 1943, news of Mamadali Topivoldiyevʼs bravery spread throughout Belarus and reached the attention of the High Command.

During the winter military operations of 1943–1944, Mamadali Topivoldiyev encountered multiple ambushes but consistently endeavored to complete his missions. His bravery was prominently acknowledged in documentary and historical publications on the partisan movement released in Moscow, Minsk, and Tashkent. Numerous articles detailing his courageous actions were published at the time and distributed to the front lines.

Mamadali Topivoldiyev personally destroyed several enemy barracks, blew up five military trains, and captured 76 fascist soldiers along with a general. According to reports, Adolf Hitler considered Mamadali his personal enemy and offered a reward of 50,000 Reichsmarks, along with a villa and one hundred cows, for his capture.

On August 15, 1944, Mamadali Topivoldiyev was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his bravery in combat against fascist invaders and his significant contributions to the development of the partisan movement in Belarus.

A Legacy Etched in the Hearts

“Today, we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism. The Second World War is not just history—it is a tragic event that profoundly altered the lives of millions,” said Angela Lukashevich, Deputy Chair of the Kruhlaye District Executive Committee. “As we reflect on those difficult times, we must never forget the heroes who became symbols of courage. One such figure is Mamadali Topivoldiyev, an Uzbek son who displayed extraordinary bravery in defense of the homeland against fascism. His actions are a true example of heroism. The memory of these heroes must live in our hearts and be passed on to future generations. In our district, everyone—young and old—knows his name: every educational institution features a display about Mamadali Topivoldiyevʼs heroism. In the postwar years, whenever Mamadali Topivoldiyev visited Kruhlaye, the local people greeted him with deep respect and affection, calling him ʼOur Liberator,ʼ ʼThe Tiger of Asia,ʼ and ʼKazbek, the brave son.ʼ

There is evidence that, in the challenging post-war years, Mamadali Topivoldiyev invited several of his wartime comrades to Uzbekistan. He helped them find housing and employment.

Today, the Kruhlaye Museum of History and Local Lore features a dedicated section honoring Mamadali Topivoldiyev. This exhibit preserves photographs of the hero, books detailing his acts of bravery, newspapers and magazines, as well as copies of documents recognizing his distinguished service. Additionally, one of the districtʼs central streets bears his name, and a bust commemorating his legacy has been installed in the central park. These tributes exemplify the Belarusian peopleʼs profound respect for his enduring memory…

“Kruhlaye is one of the most unique corners of our country,” said Nataliya Saltanova, Head of the Information and Service Department at the Kruhlaye Centralized Library. “The districtʼs history is intertwined with the principalities of Polotsk and Drutsk. Yet, within our small homeland, some places have preserved the memory of wartime heroism for 80 years. From July 8, 1941, to June 28, 1944, the district was under Nazi occupation. During this period, 1,277 civilians were executed, and 1,527 individuals were forcibly deported to Germany. The region was home to the 8th Partisan Brigade, the Chekist Detachment, and the OBZOR underground party and Komsomol organization. The name of Mamadali Topivoldiyev is inscribed in golden letters in the history of Kruhlaye District, alongside other heroes.”

Mamadali Topivoldiyevʼs bravery is not merely a tale of battlefield heroism; it embodies a profound narrative of love for the homeland and unwavering commitment to the ideals of freedom and justice. His courage stands as a shining example of eternal heroism for all generations. We have to remember such heroes and pass on their legacy to future generations.

A son of the Belarusian people as well

For every family, the war is not merely history—it is the story of individuals who risked their lives to liberate their homeland from fascist invaders. Some went to the front lines, others became partisans or messengers, and many contributed through labor on the home front.

In the years following the war, Mamadali Topivoldiyev made several visits to Belarus to reunite with his fellow partisans. Reflecting on these reunions, he once remarked, “I walked with them through the forest thickets, recalling the battles and remembering our fallen comrades.“

Additionally, he frequently visited his second mother, Anna Rilkova. He cared for her and built her a new house. That house has been preserved to this day in the village of Pasirevo, Kruhlaye District. Rilkovaʼs descendants still live in that house.

Anna Mesheryakova cherishes the wartime memories of her great-grandmother, Anna Rilkova, and values the enduring friendship between the Belarusian family and the descendants of Mamadali Topvoldiyev from Uzbekistan.

“My grandmother had two sons named Alexey and Ivan,” she says. “In 1939, Ivan joined the army and served in the same unit as Mamadali. They became friends. When the war began, they were surrounded but managed to escape together. Afterward, Mamadali Topvoldiyev, along with his comrades, secretly reached the village of Pasirevo in the Kruhlaye District. He came to my grandmotherʼs house, seeking shelter and food. At first, my grandmother was alarmed, as fascists and traitors were prowling everywhere.”

At that moment, Mamadali Topvoldiyev asked, “Would you treat your son Ivan the same way?” Upon hearing her sonʼs name, the mother inquired, “Do you know Ivan?” Topvoldiyev responded that he had served alongside Ivan. This encounter marked the beginning of a familial bond between Rilkova and Topvoldiyev. Rilkova accepted him as her son, and Topvoldiyev honored her as a mother for the rest of his life.

“My grandmother took immense pride in her Uzbek son, Mamadali Topvoldiyev,” continues Anna Mesheryakova. “When traitors informed the fascists that partisans were hiding in Rilkovaʼs house, the Nazis searched. Finding no one, they took my grandmother and grandfather into captivity. Despite enduring two weeks of torture, the fascists failed to extract any information about Topvoldiyev and his comrades, eventually releasing them. “However, the severe physical and psychological torment led to my grandfatherʼs death shortly thereafter. Later, Mamadali Topvoldiyev avenged this by exacting retribution against the fascists. Tragically, he passed away in 1969. Every year on May 6, Mamadali Topvoldiyev made it a tradition to visit Kruhlaye, check on his second mother, and reunite with his partisan comrades. In 1969, my grandmother prepared extensively for his arrival. But on that very day, news came of his passing. Overcome with grief, she traveled to Uzbekistan to attend his funeral and bid him a final farewell. In 1973, she visited Uzbekistan once more, returning to the place where her son found eternal rest. Afterward, she said, ʼNow itʼs time for me to join my sons.ʼ Shortly after, she passed away.

….The sacred memory of the heroic Uzbek son is always honored and respected in Uzbekistan.

Today, a house museum has been opened in his native Rishton district, and a bust has been erected in a prominent square. His heroism is remembered with special pride not only by the people of Rishton but by our entire nation. His bravery serves as an example for the youth.

A symbol of pride and honor

The Second World War brought unprecedented suffering and devastation to humanity. Millions of lives were lost, cities and villages were reduced to ruins, and economies were left in disarray. Despite these immense losses, victory over fascism was ultimately achieved. Undoubtedly, the Uzbek people made an invaluable contribution to this triumph.

Letʼs consider the figures: on the eve of the war, Uzbekistanʼs population was approximately 6.8 million. Of these, nearly two million were sent to the front lines. This means that one in every three Uzbeks participated in the war. Among them, close to 540,000 died, over 158,000 went missing, more than 870,000 sustained various injuries, and over 60,000 returned home with disabilities. For their exceptional bravery in the fight against fascism, 214,000 of our soldiers and officers were awarded combat orders and medals. Among them, 301 were honored with the title of “Hero of the Soviet Union,“ and 70 received the three-degree “Order of Glory” (“Slava” order).

The contribution of those on the home front was no less significant.

Letʼs revisit the figures: During World War II, over 170 factories and plants were relocated to Uzbekistan from war–affected territories. These enterprises were swiftly reestablished and resumed operations in a short period. As a result, the Uzbek people supplied the front with substantial quantities of military equipment, weapons, medicine, clothing, food, and other essential

Between 1941 and 1943, the people of Uzbekistan voluntarily contributed over 475 million rubles to the national defense fund, along with valuable personal items worth 22 million rubles. During the war, Uzbekistan provided shelter to nearly 1.5 million evacuees from conflict zones, including approximately 250,000 orphaned children, offering them care and support.

These figures are not merely statistics; they stand as enduring symbols of the Uzbek peopleʼs courage and compassion. Each number reflects a profound act of selflessness and solidarity during one of historyʼs darkest periods.

May 7, 2025 — Kruhlaye District, Republic of Belarus. Another peaceful and tranquil morning has dawned. Some are seeing their children off to kindergarten, others to school. Everyone is engaged in their daily routines. Most importantly, a sense of calm prevails, and hearts are content with todayʼs and tomorrowʼs peaceful life.

When we reflect on the fact that Uzbek sons contributed to such lasting peace in various parts of the world through their bravery and courageous actions, our hearts fill with immense pride and honor.

Fazliddin Abilov,

Nurlan Usmonov,

Special correspondents for “Xalq Soʻzi”

and “Narodnoye Slovo” newspapers.

Tashkent — Minsk — Kruhlaye — Tashkent