The Aksay region in Russia contains several memorials and sculptural compositions dedicated to the soldiers who fought in World War II, also known as the Great Patriotic War (term) in Russia. These memorials serve as a tribute to the thousands of soldiers from the Aksay region who defended their homeland against the Nazi invasion. The "Crossing" Monument The "Crossing" monument is located on Guleva street, Aksay. Here in 1985, for the 40th anniversary of Victory Day, a ZiS truck was erected with anti-aircraft guns on a concrete platform. The monument is dedicated to the defence of a railway bridge and pontoon crossing the river Don in October 1941 – July 1942. These both had strategic importance for Soviet troops during the retreat in the autumn of 1941. The monument is dedicated to the heroism of the Soviet anti-aircraft gunners, who defended the railway bridge and pontoon. The commander of the battery of 37-mm guns, Boris Dmitrievich Yalovkin, said on the 30th anniversary of Victory Day, "In October 1941, 593 separate anti-aircraft and artillery battalions, under the command of Senior lieutenant Anatoliy Ivanovich Kurakin, broke out of Taganrog during World War II. They then defended the bridge and pontoon near the settlement of Kobyakov (Russian: Кобяково городище). Using these crossings, ammunition, food and medicine were delivered to the defending units of the Red Army on the Western bank of the river Don. Civilians, wounded soldiers, and agricultural resources were evacuated. The crossing was defended by 37 mm and 85 mm anti-aircraft guns, shielded by M4 autocannon emplacements. One of the batteries under the command of Senior Lieutenant Verbitskiy was defending the left Bank of the Don River. During the invasions of Nazi troops on November 21-22, the battery stubbornly withstood the tank attacks of the enemy." As a direct result of the defence of the airspace in the area of both crossings, German forces failed to carry out any successful bombings, and the crossing fulfilled its purpose. A mass grave of five soldiers was originally located at the site of the monument. During the monument's construction, the soldiers were reburied at Heroes' Square, a separate war memorial site with an Eternal flame. [2] Memorial complex at the Square of Heroes in Aksay Memorial complex is located on the site of the mass grave of the great Patriotic war. It was opened on 9 May 1975. In honour of the 12 inhabitants