Today, 29 August, on the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine who died in the struggle for our state’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Mykolaiv region honored the Heroes who gave their lives for Ukraine.
On this day we remember the soldiers who died 12 years ago during the Ilovaisk tragedy, as well as the tens of thousands of Defenders who since 2014 have stood up to defend Ukraine and died fighting Russian aggression.
The memorial events were attended by the deputy head of the regional police department Oleksii Popkov and the veteran policy consultant Oleh Zavgorodniy, the leadership of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, representatives of local authorities, law enforcement agencies, servicemen, families of the fallen soldiers and members of the public.
Those present joined the nationwide minute of silence and laid flowers and sunflowers at the temporary installation “In memory of those who fell in the Russo-Ukrainian War”.
The sunflower itself became the symbol of this day of remembrance — a reminder of heroism, resilience and the terrible price Ukraine pays for its freedom.
Today we bow our heads to those who, until their last breath, defended their native land, their comrades, their families and Ukraine’s future.
Eternal memory and honor to the fallen Heroes.
The date is tied to the anniversary of the Ilovaisk tragedy of 2014, when the largest number of Ukrainian fighters died during the withdrawal from encirclement.
The battles and the withdrawal of Ukrainian soldiers passed through sunflower fields in bloom, which became the basis for the sunflower symbolism of this day.
In Mykolaiv the event took place near the Alley of Glory, where relatives of the fallen soldiers, their comrades and city residents gathered.
Sunflowers were laid at the foot of the monument as a symbol that light will overcome darkness, and the names of the Heroes will remain forever in memory.
Source: Mykolaiv Oblast Police.
Previously we wrote:
- A thousandth ship, 16 missiles and the Heroes’ memorial: what made 29 August memorable for Mykolaiv
- A life for the sake of freedom and the future: in Mykolaiv police honored the memory of colleagues who died for Ukraine
- Mykolaiv on the 30th anniversary of the Constitution honored defenders: flowers to Shevchenko and the Alley of Memory
- Memory alarm: every day at 09:00 the country will stop with sirens for a minute
- Who won: the design competition for the Memorial Complex in the Korabelnyi district honoring fallen defenders
