President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the ceremony of honoring the memory of servicemen of the Armed Forces who perished that day in the battles for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state.
The ceremony took place near the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. The names of 51 defenders of Ukraine who died on this day in 2015-2020 were announced. In particular, the attendees honored the memory of 48 servicemen fallen during the defense of the Donetsk airport. After announcing each name, the warriors of the honor guard company rang the bell and saluted with small arms. Volodymyr Zelenskyy laid flowers at the Memorial Bell.
The President talked to the relatives of the fallen servicemen.
"Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline prove every day that neither the armed provocations of the enemy nor the severe frosts will force them to retreat from their land. Every day we thank them for the peaceful sky over our cities and villages and remember the names of those who died defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We must do everything to ensure that the number of names heard near the Memorial Bell does not increase, and that peace finally comes to Ukraine," the President said.
The ceremony was also attended by Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Minister of Defense Andriy Taran and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ruslan Khomchak.
