The leadership of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, MPs of Ukraine, the leadership and staff of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine paid tribute to the Defenders of Ukraine who died in the struggle for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
On 29 August 2024, a wreath-laying ceremony was held on Constitution Square in front of the Ukrainian Parliament to commemorate the Members of Parliament of Ukraine and employees of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine who died as a result of russian armed aggression.
The First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko noted that the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine is associated with one of the worst episodes of the russian-Ukrainian war – the Ilovaisk tragedy.
According to him, on this day in 2014, the terrorist state of russia showed its true nature by disregarding the agreements on a ‘humanitarian corridor’ for the withdrawal of the military who were surrounded by the enemy. Instead, the russian military shot several hundred Ukrainian heroes at point blank range.
“The last path of our soldiers ran through the Donetsk sunflower fields, which became black with soot and fire. The sunflower has become a symbol of tragedy. That's why the soldiers of the National Guard of Ukraine are holding baskets of sunflowers today to lay them at the memorial. Eternal memory to the Heroes!” said Oleksandr Korniienko.
The memory of MPs of Ukraine and employees of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine who gave their lives in the russian-Ukrainian war was also honoured: the MP of the VIII convocation Oleksandr Marchenko, MP of the VIII convocation Oleh Barna, MP of the IV convocation Serhii Slabenko and employee of the Management of the Administrative Buildings of the Department of Affairs of the Apparatus of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Petro Torshyn.
“The best and bravest sons and daughters of our country paid the ultimate price in this struggle so that Ukraine could withstand, preserve itself and have a chance for a free and peaceful future. Thank you for your service! Eternal and blessed memory to the Heroes,” said Olena Kondratiuk, the Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
Concluding the ceremony, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko emphasised: “Let us remember our Heroes. Let us honour our Heroes. And let us know that after each terrible tragedy Ukraine becomes stronger and will continue to be stronger! Glory and eternal memory to the Heroes! Glory to Ukraine!”
After the event on Constitution Square, the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Secretariat laid flowers to the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen Defenders of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian War near St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv.