More than 2,000 people took part in various events to celebrate the 71st anniversary of Victory Day, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II, in Kyiv on May 9.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and other political leaders laid flowers to the Eternal Fire and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The ceremony took place in the Memorial of Eternal Glory.
The memorial procession headed by the president walked the Alley of the Fallen Heroes where 34 graves of warriors killed in the World War II are situated.
The ceremony was also attended by veterans of World War II, participants of Russia’s war against Ukraine, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, Verkhovna Rada speaker Andriy Parubiy, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, members of the government, members of parliament and representatives of all religious confessions of Ukraine.
The attendees honored memory of the fallen heroes with a moment of silence.
A military orchestra performed the anthem of Ukraine; guards of honor saluted volleys.
Upon completion of the ceremony, Poroshenko had a conversation with people who came to honor memory of the fallen heroes and pay tribute to veterans of the World War II and participants of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
