Lviv marked the 80th anniversary of Victory over Nazism
Today, on May 8, mournful events took place in Lviv to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Victory over Nazism and the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II from 1939 to 1945.
Honoring the memory of the victims
Acting Head of the Lviv Regional Council Yuriy Kholod, Head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration Maksym Kozytskyi, regional council deputies, veterans, and the public observed a minute of silence to honor those who fell in World War II. They lit candles and laid flowers at the memorial cross at the site of the former prisoner of war camp ‘Stalag-328.’
80 years ago, World War II ended — the bloodiest tragedy of the 20th century, claiming the lives of at least eight million Ukrainians. The world said ‘Never again,’ but only one of the initiators of that war faced punishment and condemnation. Unpunished evil has grown into a new major war on the European continent, threatening to escalate into a third world war. Ukraine made an undeniable contribution to the victory over Nazism: over 6 million Ukrainians fought in the ranks of the anti-Hitler coalition and resistance movements. The freedom of Europe then, as now, is paid for with Ukrainian blood. But we did not gain independence — the occupation of Ukraine by the Soviet totalitarian regime lasted almost 50 years. For the twelfth year now, Ukraine is once again facing an aggressor — heir of the Stalinist regime. The Moscow invaders are committing the same crimes on our land as Hitler and Stalin did. The history of World War II is the truth about the crimes of two totalitarian regimes that brought genocide, deportations, and mass repressions to Ukrainian soil. Today, we honor memory, not ideology. Glory to the heroes of all generations. Eternal memory to those who fell in the struggle against the Nazi and Stalinist regimes. Eternal glory and honor to all who today defend Ukraine! Ukraine remembers
, – said Yuriy Kholod.
Those present together performed the National Anthem of Ukraine and the prayer for Ukraine ‘O Great One, United God’. Priests of various denominations held an ecumenical memorial service.