Fallen Ukrainian soldiers honored in Mykolaiv

A memorial event was held in Mykolaiv to commemorate the Day of Remembrance of the defenders who died in the struggle for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

This was reported by the press service of the Mykolaiv City Council.

The event was attended by representatives of local governments, military personnel, law enforcement, the State Emergency Service, and city residents.

During the ceremony, the participants joined the nationwide minute of silence for the victims of Russian aggression against Ukraine. The participants also placed symbolic tokens on the branches of the Tree of Remembrance and laid flowers at the installation dedicated to those killed in the Russian-Ukrainian war.

On this day, all those present decorated their clothes with sunflowers, as this flower has become a symbol of the Day of Remembrance of the Fallen Defenders of Ukraine. It reminds us of the tragic events of August 2014, when the Russian occupiers brutally shot Ukrainian soldiers who were trying to escape from the encirclement near Ilovaisk. The path of Ukrainian heroes ran through a sunflower field, where hundreds of soldiers were killed and dozens went missing.

The Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine who died for the country's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity is celebrated annually on August 29 in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 621/2019 of August 23, 2019. This date was chosen because of the events in eastern Ukraine, when the Ukrainian army suffered the greatest losses during the Ilovaisk operation.

Also on the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine, a solemn ceremony was held to open the Alley of Heroes in Shevchenko Park in Odesa. Hundreds of Odessans, along with representatives of local authorities, law enforcement agencies, border guards, military and veterans, gathered to honor the memory of those who gave their lives for the freedom and future of Ukraine.

Currently, the Alley in Shevchenko Park contains more than 200 names, but unfortunately, there are many more victims. Together with the families of the victims, work is underway to create a memorial at one of the city cemeteries.

Mykolaiv also plans to create a memorial complex dedicated to the memory of the fallen soldiers who defended the country in the Russian-Ukrainian war. The main goal of the conceptual solution is to create a minimalist space that reflects modern values and honors the memory of the fallen heroes.