On the Day of Remembrance for Children Killed as a Result of the Armed Aggression of the russian federation against Ukraine, a commemorative event was held in the space of the Museum’s multimedia Martyrology “Children”. The event was attended by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, First Lady Olena Zelenska, Anne-Claire Dufay, UNICEF Representative to Ukraine, government officials, foreign diplomats, and parents who lost their children as a result of terrorist attacks by the russian federation.
Ms. Olha from Bohodukhiv lost her husband, Hryhorii; her two-year-old twin sons, Ivanko and Vladyk; and her one-year-old daughter, Myroslava, in a single night. An enemy drone struck the home they had just purchased, taking from her the most precious people in her life.
Roman and Nataliia lost their son, Danylo. He was 15 years old and had invited Alina on their first date, but a russian missile showed no mercy to the young couple. That same strike on a children’s playground in Kryvyi Rih killed 19 people, including 9 children.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an emotional address and called on the international community to stop russian aggression. “This day is about the most painful episodes of the war, about the greatest injustice and evil committed by russia, when the most vulnerable and innocent are killed. Children. As of now, this means at least 707 Ukrainian children. And thousands more children whom russia has wounded or abducted, thousands of children whose fate is still unknown. These are important and horrifying figures, but behind them, there is something more than just the number of russian crimes. They are children’s dreams, plans, and hopes that have simply been erased.”
The President and the First Lady, together with participants and guests of the event, placed toys on a symbolic altar in the Martyrology space, honoring the memory of each of the youngest victims of the aggressor.
We remember every name. We hold every young life in our hearts.
