September marks the 200th anniversary of the legendary battle led by Russian commander Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov in the Swiss Alps.

Even a person who is completely inexperienced in matters of military history, pronouncing his name, will probably remember the Devil's Bridge - a kind of victory symbol of the great Russian commander.

The Alpine country, by the way, knows and remembers this event, adequately meets the glorious date in the history of Russian weapons. There are many ascetics among our compatriots. Thanks to them, and despite all the usual difficulties of a material and financial nature, a number of events have already been held and planned in memory of the outstanding commander and his miracle heroes. Major-General Yevgeny Nikitenko, Acting head of the Military-Scientific Department of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, spoke in more detail about all this in an interview with our correspondent.

- The victory register of Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov is very extensive. Why is special attention focused on the Swiss campaign of the great Russian commander?

- During his long military career, Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov walked the roads of seven campaigns, won victories in almost 60 battles.

The Swiss campaign was the culmination of his generalship genius, a brilliant embodiment in practice of his "Science of winning". By the way, immediately after returning from this campaign, the field Marshal was granted the rank of generalissimo.

In Switzerland, initially and to this day, the memory of Russian soldiers and their commander is carefully preserved. Let's start with the fact that the monument in the form of a twelve-meter cross at the Devil's Bridge and the land around it were transferred by the decision of local authorities to the property of Russia. On the occasion of the centenary of the monument's installation, and this was last year, the Swiss side allocated 100 thousand francs for restoration work, i.e. half of the required amount. This is the position of the official authorities.

Ordinary people speak with amazing warmth about Suvorov and Russian soldiers. You can read about their heroism, perseverance and dedication in the school textbooks of the Swiss cantons. They say that, for example, in Andermatt (two centuries ago in this town there were many wounded and sick Russian soldiers), newborns are still called by Russian names.

- Evgeny Grigoryevich, your participation in Suvorov events is determined, apparently, by your official position?

"Not exactly. Despite the fact that in our country events dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the Swiss campaign are officially organized, even certain structures have been created for their implementation, the main participants and devotees of memorable deeds were and still are enthusiasts, true admirers of our Russian military history and Suvorov heritage.

I myself, in general, accidentally got into the epicenter of events. In 1995, I participated in an International Symposium on the Afghan War, where I was lucky enough to meet Andrey Stepanov, the Russian Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein, and Yuri Klychikhin, a former military attache. My new acquaintances turned out to be obsessive people, passionate about any issues related to history and expanding contacts between countries.

The anniversary of Suvorov's Swiss campaign was an excellent occasion for establishing closer contacts between the inhabitants of the Alpine country and Russia. In a word, conceived-done. Almost an amateur initiative group generated subsequent official interaction. The theme of the anniversary events was repeatedly discussed during meetings and negotiations of the heads of foreign ministries of our countries. To the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, F. Cotti wrote the following words: "Alexander Suvorov crossed the Devil's Bridge in the Alps, bringing Switzerland closer to Russia. Today, the rapprochement continues."

The problems of mutually beneficial cooperation were discussed at the meetings of the Russian and Swiss Defense Ministers I. Sergeev and A. Ogi. Largely due to high-level contacts, it became possible to hold a two-week march of the Russian military delegation to the places of military glory of A.V. Suvorov and his miracle heroes in 1998.

- You headed the Russian delegation. Who, Evgeny Grigoryevich, did it consist of?

- The Swiss side wanted students of Suvorov schools from Russia to take part in the event first of all. We went forward. Of the 75 members of the Russian delegation, 61 were Suvorov students from the Moscow Military Music, Moscow and Tver Suvorov Schools.

Young heirs of Suvorov marched through the Alpine passes, which 200 years ago the legendary compatriot and his squads overcame with battles. The Kinzig, Pragel, Panicke and Saint-Gotthard passes have gone down in military history as heroic stages of the Suvorov route. The culmination of the military-historical expedition was a parade in Andermatt and the laying of wreaths at the monument to Russian soldiers at the Devil's Bridge near Andermatt.

- What it turns out: a country with a long-established status of a neutral state received, in fact, a foreign military delegation. Did the host country have any regrets about the marches of strangers in military uniforms?

- The neutrality of the Swiss Confederation means non-participation in military campaigns and non-alignment with various militaristic alliances. But this status does not imply that Switzerland does not have its own military policy. It certainly exists, as does the army.

Our guys, by the way, actively communicated and even competed with Alpine soldiers. Moreover, competitions between Russians and Swiss were organized in almost all mountain garrisons, where we passed and stayed. The advantage, as a rule, was for Suvorov. Especially memorable was our victory in Andermatt at the International School of Game Wardens. Competitions were held here in 10 categories (shooting with various types of weapons, cross-country, strength exercises). All the top ten places were Russian.

- We can assume that last year's anniversary events became something of a preamble. After all, the main date - the 200th anniversary of the Swiss campaign of A.V. Suvorov falls on September of this year.

- Of course, the program of mutual cooperation of admirers of the Russian Generalissimo's generalship talent could not be limited to one of our visits to Switzerland.

Over the following months, contacts with the Swiss side continued. In particular, a delegation from the city of Andermatt headed by the Mayor of the city Ferdinand Muheim visited Suvorov schools on a return visit. By the way, he is one of the brightest in the Confederation of enthusiasts-"Suvorov", an active supporter of strengthening the Swiss - Russian friendship.

I can't help but say warm words to another famous ascetic of Russian culture, who did so much to perpetuate the memory of A.V. Suvorov. This is Baron Eduard Alexandrovich von Falz-Fein, who left Russia after the October Revolution and lived for many years in Liechtenstein, neighboring Switzerland.

One of the last good deeds of our compatriot, who is no longer young, but impresses with his energy and determination, is the release of a beautifully designed photo album dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the Swiss campaign. The publication was presented in spring in Moscow at the Central House of the Russian Army. At the same time, an international "round table" on the Suvorov theme was held at the Institute of Military History of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

- Will last year's team increase its educational contribution?

- Since we are expected to visit Switzerland again this year, we plan to release a documentary film depicting the historical situation of the campaign, organize an exhibition of paintings, documents, military clothing and weapons of that era. There are developments in conducting a live teleconference "Saint-Gotthard-Poklonnaya Gora".

Of course, in order to implement your plans at a decent level, you need good support. We feel it from various departments and organizations: the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Moscow City Hall and, in particular, the Committee for Public and Interregional Relations headed by Lyudmila Ivanovna Shvetsova.

The historical date of the 200th anniversary is close to the heart of every Russian patriot. This is why it is important that broad circles of the public, the business world, intellectuals, and military personnel participate in the preparation and holding of meetings. This will be a sign of respect and gratitude to our glorious Suvorov miracle heroes.

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