WHAT DOCUMENTS SAY

The State archive of Mogilev region

Document dated December 8, 1944, Kostukovichi

In September 1942, 380 innocent Jewish residents were murdered and buried in a mass grave. The victims had been forced to undress to underwear. Some children, younger than 6, had broken vertebrae. Some women were found holding babies in their arms.

The German occupants totally exterminated the Jewish population of Kostukovichi. On September 3, 1942 the Jews of Kostukovichi were told they would be evacuated to Palestine. The assembled people – children, women, men, whole families, were taken out of town and shot. There were 382 people.

Old memorial to the Kostukovichi Jews,
set up in 1963 by the victims’ relatives.

Before the execution some of the men were made to dig out the grave. Then groups of 50 people were told to come up to the grave and shot. Children were thrown in alive. The execution was carried out by the Nazi police. The execution took place at 5 p.m.

Place of execution of Kostukovichi Jews in Kommunarka on September 3, 1942. The new memorial was set up on July 2, 2009 by the local authorities.

Among the executed were: the Tylkins (three children and wife), the Kaplans (two children, man and wife), the Zlotins (four children and wife), the Sheinins (three people), the Itzkovs (four people), the Haskins (five people), the Plutkovs (five people), the Nanins (two people), the Genins, the Zabrianskys, the Pismans and many other families.

In the same month 90 Jews were murdered by Nazi police in Somotevichi.

The list of Jewish residents of Kostukovichi, executed in Kommunary:

Prepared by A. Litin, I. Shenderovich
Photos taken by A. Litin

Jewish settlements in Mogilev region

Mogilev• Antonovka• Batsevichi• Belynichi• Belynkovichi• Bobruisk• Byhov• Chausy• Cherikov• Dashkovka• Dribin• Esmony• Glusk• Golovchin• Gorki• Gory• Grozdianka• Hotimsk• Kirovsk• Klichev• Konohovka• Kostukovichi• Krichev• Krucha• Krugloye• Lenino• Lubonichi• Martinovka• Moliatichi• Mstislavl• Naprasnovka• Osipovichi• Rodnia• Rudkovschina• Samotevichi• Sapezhinka• Selets• Shamovo• Shepelevichi• Shklov• Slavgorod• Staroselie• Sukhari• Svisloch• Vereschaki• Zaverezhie• Zhilichi•