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Ukraine celebrates Day of liberation from Nazi occupants

President Petro Poroshenko congratulates World War II veterans upon the 70th anniversary of the memorable date

Fighting for the liberation of Odessa region, 1944 Fotokhronika TASS

Fighting for the liberation of Odessa region, 1944

© Fotokhronika TASS

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75 years since the outbreak of World War II

KIEV, October 28. /TASS/. On Tuesday, Ukraine is celebrating the 70th anniversary of liberation from Nazi occupants. But, after the supporters of Euro-Maidan came to power in Ukraine, the commemoration events have been practically reduced to a minimum this year.

The liberation of the Ukrainian territory from Nazi troops was accomplished by Soviet soldiers who fought at four Ukrainian war fronts, the 1st Belarusian war front and marines of the Black Sea Fleet. The Red Army lost 2.6 million soldiers in fighting for the liberation of Ukraine since August 1943 until October 1944.

The celebration of Day of Ukraine's liberation from Nazi occupants was decreed by former Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko in 2009. Earlier, commemoration events had been held nationwide with traditional flowers brought to WWII memorials all over Ukraine.

During the commemoration events on Tuesday, flowers will be laid to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by representatives of the Ukrainian authorities in the Park of Glory in Kiev.

Poroshenko congratulates veterans upon anniversary of Ukraine’s liberation from Nazism

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has congratulated World War II veterans upon the 70th anniversary of Ukraine’s liberation from Nazi occupation and expressed “cordial, filial gratitude for the courage displayed in battle and the hard toil in the post-war years, for their staunchness and self-sacrifice.”

“I am taking a deep bow to the glorious memory of your deceased comrades-in-arms and all compatriots who did not survive that great war,” Poroshenko said in a message.

“I am certain that your firm morale and unshakable faith in the triumph of good over evil will always inspire future generations of Ukrainians for defending their native land and developing their home country. Be sure: the love, respect and care of the Ukrainian people will be with you forever,” Poroshenko said.

The Ukrainian president pointed out that “the contribution of Ukrainians to the liberation of European peoples from Nazism and the common victory in World War II is beyond doubt.”

For the victory over Nazism, he said, “our people have paid an incredibly high price — millions of those killed, injured and unborn.”

“According to various estimates from 8 to 9 million Ukrainians perished on battle fields, under the regime of occupation, in concentration camps, ghettos and prisons and while doing hard labour away from home. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian cities and villages were ruined and a quarter of residents remained without a roof overhead,” Poroshenko said.

Medal on occasion of 70th anniversary of Ukraine’s liberation from Nazis

Poroshenko has also signed a decree to introduce a medal on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Ukraine from the Nazis in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War, the presidential press service said on Tuesday.

Veterans of the Great Patriotic War, prisoners of concentration camps, ghettos and other places of forced imprisonment set up by Nazi Germany and its allies will be awarded the medal, the press service said.

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Ukraine Pyotr Poroshenko World War II

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