Ukraine Honors Victims of Political Repressions at Bykivnia Memorial

On the Day of Remembrance for Victims of Political Repressions, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Olena Kovalska and Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications Mykola Tochytskyi visited the National Historical and Memorial Preserve “Bykivnia Graves” to honor the memory of the fallen. Bykivnia, located in the Bykivnia Forest near Kyiv, serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed during the Soviet era, where victims executed by the NKVD were secretly buried between 1937 and 1941.

Olena Kovalska described Bykivnia as more than just a cemetery, but a nameless memorial representing those who were deemed inconvenient by the totalitarian Soviet regime. She highlighted the continuing aggression of modern-day Russia against Ukraine as a reflection of past Soviet policies. Kovalska emphasized the ongoing fight to prevent further atrocities and ensure a future where freedom is preserved for all.

The visit to Bykivnia was a solemn occasion to pay tribute to the victims of political repression, with Ukraine striving to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring. The site remains the largest mass burial ground in Ukraine for victims of political repression, symbolizing the importance of remembering the past to safeguard the future. The delegation’s presence underscored the commitment to preserving the memory of those who suffered under oppressive regimes.

As Ukraine commemorates the victims of political repressions, the visit to Bykivnia serves as a poignant reminder of the need to uphold freedom and human rights. Through honoring the past, Ukraine aims to create a future where such atrocities are never repeated, ensuring that future generations can live in a society where freedom of thought, speech, and expression are safeguarded.