Hearse shortage, money demanded: problems with military burial in Odesa are gaining momentum

In Odesa, military burials are increasingly accompanied by extortion. Relatives of the fallen soldiers complained about the problems.

This was reported by the veterans' organization Veterans HUB ODESA.

According to Mykola Storozhuk, deputy head of the Veterans HUB ODESA NGO, the families of the deceased are often forced to pay for services that should be free of charge, according to state guarantees.

There is also a lack of hearse cars for military burials in Odesa - currently, only one car is allocated for this purpose, which is used for 3-4 burials at a time.

In addition, according to Mykola Storozhuk, the families of the deceased have repeatedly turned to the Veterans HUB ODESA with complaints that the bodies of their loved ones are not released without advance payment. These problems have to be solved on an individual basis.

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. Currently, the Alley contains more than 200 names, but unfortunately, there are many more fallen. The Alley will be constantly updated with the names of those who have defended Ukraine since 2014.

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. In addition, together with the families of the fallen, we are working on the creation of a memorial at one of the city cemeteries. In addition, the improvement of the Glory and Freedom Park and the Memorial to the Fighters for Ukraine continues.

It should be added that the city authorities decided to create the Defenders' Alley after a protest action that took place on August 15 in Odesa. Afterwards, the authorities met with the families of the fallen Ukrainian soldiers.

Meanwhile, the principal of a school in Odesa refused to allow the family of a fallen soldier to install a memorial plaque in his honor on the building of the school.

Ірина Глухова