25 new memorial stands opened in Odesa on the Alley of Heroes

New stands with the names of Ukraine's fallen defenders were unveiled on the Alley of Heroes in Shevchenko Park in Odesa on February 24.

The event was timed to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation.

Angelina Lyubchak, head of the Families of Angels of Light NGO, emphasized that the initiative is growing along with the number of families who want to honor their loved ones and noted that the current location designated for the Heroes' Alley is completely filled with memorial stands. So far, 25 new stands have been added, but the families of the victims insist that the Alley of Heroes should be set up in all districts of the city. The new stands feature photos not only of defenders who were born in Odesa, but also of those who lived in Odesa at the time of the invasion but were born in other cities.

The Heroes' Alley in Shevchenko Park was opened on August 29, 2024, on the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine. At that time, it consisted of more than 200 names, but it was clear then that there were many more victims. Now, in total, 627 names are immortalized on the Alley of Heroes. In addition, together with the families of the victims, work is underway to create a memorial at one of the city cemeteries. On the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the full-scale war in Odesa, the memory of the fallen Heroes was honored by laying flowers at the Cossack Cross.

In 2025, Odesa developed a project for a memorial in honor of the soldiers who gave their lives for Ukraine, which is planned to be not only a place of remembrance but also a space where everyone can feel the depth of gratitude and respect for those who died for Ukraine. The main idea of the memorial is to make it different from the typical architecture of the city and to transport visitors to a special atmosphere of remembrance. The memorial will include three existing burial plots around the runway, which will be combined into a single structure without reburial.

Кирило Бойко