This is not the only day of the year when we remember, honor, and talk about those who gave their lives to defend Ukraine, its statehood, independence, and unity. But it is a special day, an opportunity for everyone in society to focus together on memory, honor, and gratitude.
The state established this Day of Remembrance in 2019. It was August 29, because this date is associated with one of the most tragic episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war before the full-scale invasion - the exit of Ukrainian soldiers from the encirclement near Ilovaisk in 2014. Then, the Russian leadership - traditionally for itself - violated the agreements: Ukrainian soldiers were shot when they passed in columns through what was supposed to be a "green corridor". Their path lay through sunflower fields. Therefore, the sunflower became the traditional symbol of the memorial day on August 29.
According to the Book of Remembrance of those who fell for Ukraine, since 2014, as of December 1, 2021, 4,490 Ukrainian soldiers have died.
Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022 opened a new page of heroism, resilience, and, unfortunately, losses. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny reported that since the full-scale attack on August 2022,
"Almost 9,000 Ukrainian heroes died in the war against the Russian invaders."
This year, while the war continues until victory, we can neither know the exact number, nor name everyone by name, nor tell all the stories. But we are confident that Ukrainian society will make every effort so that our fallen heroes are not an abstract number in our memory. So that they receive the maximum respect that only those who gave their lives for their country deserve. So that our memory of them is alive.
At the end of May 2022, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a decision to create a National Military Memorial Cemetery, where the fallen (deceased) defenders will be buried with honors. This is a global practice of honoring soldiers who gave their lives for their country. Such cemeteries exist in the USA, Canada, France, Poland and other countries. And a year before that, in July 2021, a military funeral ritual was adopted at the state level. Again, so that at the time of burial, due honors are paid to the fallen (deceased) defender, so that everyone understands that they are burying not an ordinary person, but the one thanks to whom the state of Ukraine exists.
After the victory, we will find our traditions of remembering the fallen soldiers. We already name and will continue to name streets in their honor. We already have places of memory and memorial plaques in public spaces. But after the final victory, special places should appear in the country, with insightful architecture and humane memorial practices that will testify that we honor and thank them.
We remember and will remember.
