You're reading: Rada names May 8 as Remembrance and Reconciliation Day, May 9 still Victory Day

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted the government legislative initiative to establish Remembrance and Reconciliation Day in Ukraine on May 8 to commemorate all the victims of WWII, and to retain May 9 as Victory Day.

A total of 261 MPs voted in support of the bill on April 9, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent has reported.

According to the law, Ukraine will commemorate all the victims of the WWII on May 8, and will celebrate victory over Nazi Germany during WWII on May 9 annually.

According to the bill, all WWII monuments will be guarded by the state and any damage to them will be punished.