Ukrainians paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the Wall of Remembrance in Kyiv on March 14 to commemorate Volunteer Day.
Heartbreak And Tears: Relatives, Colleagues Mourn Fighters Killed In Ukraine On Volunteer Day
- By RFE/RL
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A woman touches a photo of her son, who died fighting on behalf of Ukraine, at the Memory Wall during a ceremony marking Volunteer Day in Kyiv on March 14.
The date was established in 2017 by the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, to honor the courage and heroism of the defenders of the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
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Orthodox priests held a special memorial for the relatives, friends, and colleagues of those killed as part of the commemoration.
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Relatives were able to pay tribute to and mourn their fallen loved ones, whose pictures adorn the wall.
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A soldier walks by as Anatoliy, 68, holds a portrait of his son Yuriy 26, who was killed fighting invading Russian forces.
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Some brought flowers to lay in tribute.
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A Ukrainian soldier embraces a woman who was paying her respects.
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The golden spires of St. Michael's Cathedral tower above the Wall of Remembrance.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on his Telegram channel: "Ukraine will always remember all its heroes who gave their lives for freedom."
