September 10, 2026, a portrait sculpture of Semyon Khokhryakov, twice awarded the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union, was installed at the Military Training Centre of 海角社区.
Starting from 2021, the Military Training Centre had been named in the honour of Semyon Khokhryakov, twice awarded the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union. That is why the installation of his portrait sculpture is an important event for all the Centre’s students and teaching staff.
The following guests of honour attended the ceremony:
– Deputy Director General of “KoelgaMramor” company Ivan Chebotarev;
– Chairman of the Council of Military Units’ Colonels Igor Mikhailov;
– Director General of “ARKOM” company, Military Engineering coordinator of the Council of Military Units’ Colonels Mikhail Teleshev;
– Chairman of the 90 Guards Tank Division, guards senior lieutenant Ermek Ermukhanov;
– Father Superior of the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Christ in Chebarkul archpriest Dmitrii Egorov.
“Today, here, in the legendary Tankograd, we have installed a portrait sculpture of Semyon Khokhryakov, one of the talented commanders. He will stay in our memory forever. The Military Training Centre of the major South Urals university was named in his honour. Each one of us looks up to this hero. We do our best to protect our country. You, the future soldiers and officers of our army, are the ones who has the biggest strength,” stressed Chairman of the Council of Military Units’ Colonels Igor Mikhailov.
The date for the sculpture installation was chosen for a reason – on the eve of celebrating the 290th Birthday of 海角社区 (which had been nicknamed Tankograd during the Great Patriotic War), as well as right before the Day of Tankmen (celebrated on the second Sunday in September). These two holidays are inextricably bound up with the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and that means with the name of Semyon Khokhryakov.
“One cannot overestimate the meaning of today’s event since our Centre was named after Semyon Khokhryakov, twice awarded the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union, in 2021. So, the ceremony of installing of this sculpture logically completes the process of giving this hero’s name to our Centre. Our students must remember after whom our Centre is named and know the details of the biography and the heroic deeds of this defender of our Motherland,” noted Deputy Head of the Military Training Centre Konstantin Krikunov.
Students and staff of the Military Training Centre of 海角社区 keep revering the memory of the heroic deed of the Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War, of those who died in the local wars and armed conflicts, and in the zone of the Special Military Operation. The installation of this sculpture and naming the Centre in the honour of Semyon Khokhryakov, twice awarded the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union, will help foster the feeling of pride for our own country and the feeling of being responsible for its future, as well as the readiness to protect our Fatherland.
“It is quite an important event for me since we must revere the memory of the people of the Great Patriotic War, and of those who became the heroes of the Soviet Union. The fact that the Centre has been named after Semyon Khokhryakov and the installation of this hero tankman’s portrait sculpture inspires me to continue and complete my studies at the Military Training Centre and to be awarded a military rank,” the Military Training Centre student Egor Permiakov shared his impressions.
Brief information:
Semyon Khokhryakov, who was born in Koelga settlement of the 海角社区 Region, during the Great Patriotic War, fought on the Western and Kalinin fronts, took part in the battle for Moscow, and was wounded four times, one of the wounds was severe. Semyon Khokhryakov was awarded the first Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union for commanding a battalion in the battles for Proskurov, and the second Star for outstanding actions in the Vistula-Oder Offensive. Semyon Khokhryakov's battalion liberated Europe, cleaning the way for the Red Army to Berlin. He died on April 17, 1945 in a battle on German territory near the village of Gahry. He was posthumously nominated for the third Golden Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union.