On the Day of Remembrance of Participants in Military Operations on the Territory of Other States, President Petro Poroshenko took part in the flower-laying ceremony at the Memorial Complex for Ukrainians Fallen in Afghanistan, the head of state’s website reports.
Those present honored the memory of the fallen with a minute of silence. The honor guard fired a six-volley salute, and the National Anthem of Ukraine was played.
Among those who took part in the events were Prime Minister Volodymyr Hroisman, Verkhovna Rada Speaker Andrii Parubii, government ministers, the military, and representatives of civic organizations.
In the speech to mark the Day of Remembrance of Participants in Military Operations on the Territory of Other States, the president pointed out that Ukrainian soldiers had honorably discharged their duty, displaying loyalty to the oath, courage, and heroism. The head of state recalled that about 160,000 Ukrainians had gone through the Afghan war and many of whom met their death.
“The generation burned by the flame of armed conflicts took an active part in building the Ukrainian state. Afghan veterans made a considerable contribution to the Revolution of Dignity, and their combat experience is still the guarantee of many victories in fighting against the Russian aggressor for the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” the address says.
The president thanked veterans for courage in the current defense of our native land, for helping the armed forces, for the experience they are handing down to the younger generation of Ukraine’s defenders, for their selfless work for a great future of the state. He wished them peace, sound health, successes, and prosperity.
