Zelenskyy Honors National Heroes

In a solemn ceremony held on January 29, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid tribute to the nation’s fallen defenders during the Day of Remembrance of the Heroes of Kruty. The event took place at Askold’s Grave in Kyiv, a historic site where the President laid flowers at the memorial cross dedicated to the Heroes of Kruty.

The memorial commemorates the valor of Ukrainian defenders who, on January 29, 1918, resisted the Bolshevik forces attempting to capture Kyiv. This year’s event was marked by President Zelenskyy’s interactions with families of the fallen heroes, underscoring the nation’s ongoing respect and remembrance for those who sacrificed their lives for Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Among those honored were several notable figures including Mark Paslavskyi, who died in 2014 near Ilovaisk, and Oleksandr Klitynskyi, who perished in the same year during the Revolution of Dignity. Recent heroes such as Dmytro Kotsiubailo and Andrii Pilshchykov, who were killed in 2023, and Pavlo Petrychenko, who fell in 2024, were also remembered for their contributions to Ukraine’s ongoing struggle for independence. The ceremony provided a moment of national reflection and unity, emphasizing the enduring spirit of those who fought for the country’s future.