On the anniversary of the Ilovaisk tragedy, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored the memory of warriors who died in the struggle for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Members of the families of fallen warriors, representatives of the Armed Forces, the security and defense sector, ATO/JFO veterans, the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada, the Cabinet of Ministers and the Office of the President of Ukraine also took part in the events dedicated to the Day of Remembrance of Defenders of Ukraine.
The surnames of 223 servicemen who died that day in 2014-2019 were announced. After each surname, the warriors of the honor guard rang the bell and saluted with personal weapons in one volley.
Then the President presented three state awards, which were awarded earlier, for personal courage and heroism shown in defending the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, selfless service to the Ukrainian people.
After the ceremony, Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in a nationwide minute of silence and laid flowers at the Bell of Remembrance and Stella, in which shell fragments were installed.
"Today we honor the memory of the heroes of Ukraine, our best citizens who defended the borders of Ukraine, defended our sovereignty, our territorial integrity," the President said after the commemorative events.
The Head of State noted that the announcement of the surnames of soldiers who died on this day in different years lasted about 40 minutes.
"Unfortunately, we cannot shorten this time, but as a state we can do everything to prevent this time from increasing," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
"Glory to our heroes, glory to our men who defend Ukraine from Russian aggression on the frontline today," he added.