Day of Mourning and Commemoration of the Victims of the War in Ukraine
Every year, on June 22, the Ukrainian people honor the bright memory of millions of victims of World War II. It was established by Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 1245/2000 of November 17, 2000, in order to perpetuate the memory of millions of Ukrainians whose lives were destroyed or mutilated as a result of World War II at the state level.
It was on June 22, 1941, that Nazi Germany invaded the territory of the USSR without a declaration of war. For Ukraine, which at that time was part of the Soviet Union, this day became the beginning of a terrible military tragedy. Mass terror, occupation, deportation, destroyed cities and villages, millions dead and wounded...
In terms of the scale of losses, destruction, and human tragedies, Ukraine was one of the largest victims of World War II. According to various estimates, Ukraine's total demographic losses ranged from 8 to 10 million people. Of these, almost 5 million – civilians who became victims of the occupation regime, combat operations, forced labor, famine, and repression. Almost 700 settlements in Ukraine were completely destroyed, more than 250 of them – along with their entire population. Ukrainian lands became an arena for the fiercest battles – the Kyiv Defense Operation, the Battle of Kharkiv, the defense of Odesa and Sevastopol – all these events passed through the Ukrainian land and the lives of Ukrainians.
An especially painful chapter is the Holocaust: during the years of Nazi occupation on the territory of Ukraine, more than 1.5 million Jews were killed. Babyn Yar in Kyiv became a symbol of this tragedy, where in just two days in September 1941, over 33 thousand people were shot.
Millions of Ukrainians became victims of forced labor: more than 2.4 million people were taken to Germany as Ostarbeiters – for work in industry and agriculture. Many of them did not return, and those who did returned to face repression from the Soviet authorities.
In villages, towns, and small cities destroyed by war, mothers and wives with young children remained, the vast majority of whom soon became widows, and children – orphans. Severe trials of the post-war years awaited them.
In addition to these events, today Ukrainians honor almost every day the memory of millions of people who not only died in World War II but are also losing their lives now as a result of the war with Russia.
The present day of our state's history teaches us to be especially acutely aware of the price of freedom, peace, and security. Therefore, it is the duty of each of us – to forever preserve the memory of those who defend with weapons in hand our borders, our freedom, our own democratic choice. Honoring the memory of the past, we never forget the present!
Eternal glory to the defenders who gave their lives for Ukraine. Honor and respect to the living!