By Burc Eruygur
ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukraine on Tuesday commemorated the “Heavenly Hundred” killed during the Maidan protests in 2014.
“All of them together are a symbol of how different people from different regions of Ukraine selflessly and courageously defend common values. They all gave their lives for independence. All of them together are the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an address.
Expressing that Ukraine honors the memory of their feat, which showed how Ukrainians fought for their freedom in squares and are now doing so on the frontline, Zelenskyy said they are also honoring the decision his people made 10 years ago that they want and will live “only in a European state.”
Zelenskyy further said that Ukraine cherishes and will preserve their memory. He said the country is continuing to do so through the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and with Kyiv’s efforts for European integration.
“All this was an incentive for the people to fight 10 years ago. All this is an incentive for us today. To defend our land. To defend our freedom. To defend our tomorrow. To defend our Ukraine. Glory to all those who are now fighting for it!” he added.
The Day of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes was established by a presidential decree in February 2015 and is commemorated annually.
It honors the more than 100 people killed during the Maidan Revolution, most of whom were killed Feb. 20.
Protests led to the ouster of then-President Viktor Yanukovych, who was widely perceived as a pro-Russian ruler.