Honoring the Ukrainian military, members of volunteer formations and civilians who were executed or died in captivity, and preserving the memory of their heroism, civic courage and resilience, is Ukraine's daily duty.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said this in a statement on the day of remembrance for defenders and defendresses of Ukraine, members of volunteer formations and civilians who were executed, tortured or died in captivity, Ukrinform reports.
"The Ukrainian Armed Forces honor Ukrainian service members, members of volunteer formations and civilians who were executed, tortured or died in captivity as a result of the Russian Federation's armed aggression against Ukraine, in the struggle for Ukraine's independence, state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and who became victims of brutal violence during the Russian occupation. Preserving the memory of their heroism, civic courage, resilience, selflessness and strength of spirit is our daily and eternal duty," the General Staff said.
It stressed that July 28 is etched in the memory and hearts of all Ukrainians in honor of military personnel who defended the city of Mariupol and, on the orders of Ukraine's senior military leadership, left the Azovstal steel plant between May 16 and 20, 2022. Despite agreements and guarantees to preserve their lives and health, they were executed by Russian occupying forces during a terrorist attack at the site of the former Volnovakha Penal Colony No. 120 in the village of Olenivka, Donetsk region, on the night of July 28-29, 2022.
