A group of Jews from the Minsk Ghetto numbering 10-30 people was murdered in Skirmantovo. Apparently, the residents of Skirmantovo were known to help Jews trying to make their way through the forest and join the partisans. According to some sources, the Jews staying in the village, together with virtually the entire local population, were forced into sheds in the village center and burned alive. Other sources report that the Jews were killed first, followed by the residents of Skirmantovo. In addition to that, almost all the village houses were burned down. There is some uncertainty regarding the number of village residents and the date of the operation. The estimate of victims ranges from 144 (the figure indicated on the monument) to 280 (according to some testimonies). The date of the operation is either July 30 or August 28 (or 29), 1943.

More information: Yad Vashem