The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Dear compatriots!
Today Ukraine commemorates the victims of Babyn Yar. On the anniversary of this tragedy, I bow down before the innocently perished victims of terror. 67 years ago, Babyn Yar became the place of execution of ten thousands of innocent sons and daughters of our nation, a synonym to the immense human tragedy. In Babyn Yar, fascist occupants made an attempt to annihilate peaceful population of Ukraine. Blood of women, children and elderly people was the first to be shed here. Today we commemorate every innocently perished soul.
The scale of the tragedy in Babyn Yar can not be esteemed by bare statistical data. Every figure stands for a human life and human civilization that were exposed to the burst of machine-gun fire. We should bring the truth about this crime to the heart and conscience of every person.
Our memory should become a warning to those who try to sow discord in our multinational family. Let us exert all efforts so that Ukraine will never host national intolerance and religious hostility.