Ukraine honors fallen heroes on Day of Defenders with nationwide minute of silence
Photo: Traffic stopped in the center of Kyiv during the minute of silence (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
On Tuesday, October 1, Ukraine honors the memory of fallen heroes on the Day of Defenders with a nationwide minute of silence. Traffic in the center of Kyiv was temporarily suspended.
Kyiv
Today, at 9 a.m., a nationwide minute of silence was held as a sign of respect and gratitude to the fallen defenders of Ukraine.
Because of this, from 8:55 a.m. to 9:05 a.m., National Police of Ukraine officers stopped traffic in the center of Kyiv, namely on Independence Square and Khreshchatyk Street at the intersection with the Heavenly Hundred Heroes' Alley.
“Kyiv residents and guests of the capital, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, stop for a minute as a sign of respect and gratitude to the fallen defenders of Ukraine. At this moment, think that the terrible war continues. But we must always remember those who gave the most precious thing - their own lives - so that we could continue to live,” calls the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration Serhii Popko.
Other regions
According to Serhii Lysak, head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, the minute of silence in the Donetsk region is special because it is not quiet, as it is accompanied by the Russian attacks on the front line.
“It is here that you feel most acutely the price paid by the Defenders for our freedom. It is here, at the entrance to the hottest region, that we bow our heads together with the head of the National Police in the region, Oleksandr Hanzha. In memory of our fallen comrades and all Ukrainian soldiers,” he writes.
In Kharkiv, traffic on Freedom Square was also temporarily stopped.
Lutsk also stopped for a minute of silence.
Day of Defenders of Ukraine
Every year on October 1, Ukrainians celebrate the Day of Defenders of Ukraine. This date is dedicated to honoring the heroes who dedicated their lives to protecting Ukraine and its sovereignty.
This day gained special significance during the full-scale Russian invasion and became a symbol of recognition and gratitude to the military and citizens of Ukraine who stood up to defend their country.
In addition, the holiday used to be celebrated on October 14, as the date was associated with the Day of the Ukrainian Cossacks and the Day of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. However, the date of the holiday has changed. In 2023, it was moved to October 1 due to the transition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church to a new calendar.
