On August 29, a central event marking the nationwide minute of silence in honor of Ukraine’s fallen defenders was held at Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv. Families of the fallen, service members, veterans, volunteers, representatives of public organizations and other participants joined the commemoration.
This was reported by Hromadske.
On August 29, Ukraine marks the Day of Remembrance of Defenders who died in the struggle for the country’s independence and territorial integrity. The date is associated with the 2014 Ilovaisk tragedy, when Russian forces fired on columns of Ukrainian troops as they were leaving encirclement through the so-called “green corridor,” despite guarantees of safe passage.
The event at Maidan Nezalezhnosti took place today despite the sound of explosions during a Russian drone attack. The Armed Forces orchestra performed the Ukrainian national anthem, after which participants observed a minute of silence for the fallen.
People came with posters calling on others to remember those who died. Among the messages were “A person lives as long as they are remembered” and “A minute of silence for those we have no right to forget.”
The organizer of the event, the NGO Vshanui, called on Ukrainians to join the minute of remembrance wherever they were — at home, at work, at university, on public transport or in their city.
After the event, the organizers went to the Sens bookstore on Khreshchatyk, where they made wreaths from fresh flowers in honor of the fallen defenders.
Kateryna Dotsenko, co-founder of the NGO Vshanui, described the minute of silence as a simple ritual that allows society to feel a sense of unity and remember together those the country has lost.
