During the liberation of Ukraine by the Ukrainian four fronts, that included over 2.3 mln. people, in January 1943 – October 1944, were concluded a series of brilliant offensive operations. The most important ones were: Voronezh-Kharkov (January 13 – March 3, 1943), Donbass (August 13 – September 22, 1943), Chernigov-Poltava (August 26 – September 30, 1943), Korsun-Shevchenko (December 24, 1943 – February 17, 1944) and the Lvov-Sandomierz (July 13- August 29, 1944). Finished the liberation of Ukraine Carpathian operation, which began on September 9, 1944. On October 27, 1944 was released Uzhgorod, on October 28, Soviet troops reached the border of the modern Ukrainian state. During World War II approximately 2.5 million of the Ukrainian soldiers were awarded with the military awards.

According to historical data, in the course of military operations on the territory of Ukraine during World War II were killed about three million of the Soviet soldiers and officers and nearly 1.4 million of prisoners of war.

On the occupied territory of Ukraine died about 3.9 million people or every sixth inhabitant. More than 2 million of Ukrainians were taken for forced labor in Germany. More than 700 cities and 28 thousand villages were destroyed fully or partially, about 10 million people were left homeless, destroyed more than 16 thousand of industrial enterprisers.

With the aim of a national celebration of Ukraine’s liberation from Nazi occupation, commemorating the heroic feat and sacrifice of the Ukrainian people during World War II, by the Decree of the President of Ukraine of October 20, 2009, the day of October 28 was declared as a Day of Liberation of Ukraine from fascists invaders.

We pay tribute to soldiers who died in the battles for the liberation of Ukraine, and civilians, affected by the actions of Nazi occupation. Ukraine will always remember those who by the cost of their lives defended and saved country during the years of war.

Still did not erase from the memory of Ukrainian people the mention of the horrors of Nazi occupation, as part of the territory of Ukraine was again occupied by a foreign state. Ukrainian people once again have to defend freedom, independence and territorial integrity of their Homeland with arms in their hands. Blood is shedding again.

Ukraine hopes that the events of 70 years past, as well as the memory of the millions who died in World War II and the thousands of victims of recent confrontation in Eastern Ukraine will promote the ceasefire, settlement of the situation in the Donbas and the Crimea on the basis of respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of Ukraine.

Embassy of Ukraine

to the Hellenic Republic