The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk took part in the ceremony of commemoration of civilians killed by russian invaders in Bucha
The commemorative events were also attended by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu, Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Eduard Heger, Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia Robert Golob, Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic, government officials, representatives of state and local self-government bodies, and residents of Bucha.
Participants of the ceremony laid lighted memorial lamps to the Cross of the civilians killed by russian invaders near the Church of St Andrew the First-Called. The names of 77 civilians who died during the occupation of Bucha and 11 soldiers who gave their lives in the battles for the city were read out to the sound of the church bell.
The participants of the event also took part in the unveiling of the Memorial to the defenders of the Bucha territorial community, during which the State Flag of Ukraine was raised on the restored mast of the Memorial. The attendees observed a minute of silence in memory of all the fallen citizens and defenders of Bucha.
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi addressed the audience at the Memorial. He presented state awards and honorary insignia “Hero City of Bucha” to the residents of the city. Foreign guests also addressed the audience with tributes.
“A year ago, Bucha experienced horrors. After the liberation of the town, the world saw and shuddered at the brutality of the crimes committed by the enemy. The world saw that Ukraine is standing up to russia, a terrorist state. Eternal honour and eternal memory to the victims,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine wrote on his social media page.