We’ve been waiting for a year to build the Fallen Heroes National Military Memorial Cemetery for burial

For reference: The funds raised for the cemetery is 2023 budgetary allocation. The first memorial services are to take place this fall.

The issue of establishing a National Military Memorial Cemetery for fallen heroes burial ground was raised a year ago. The task force was organized, funds were allocated, and discussions were held. In the end, a compromise was reached between the bereaved families of the victims, the authorities, and the public to provide a plot of land in Bykivnia, Desnianskyi district of Kyiv, for the construction of the cemetery. This was reported by Nataliia Zarytska, Chair of the “Women of Steel” NGO, at a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform. 

“From the age of 27, my son defended Ukraine until his death in Mariupol. Still, there were no funeral services for my son. I was sure that our country would be grateful to our warriors. On March 23, Oleksandr Tkachenko and Yuliia Laputina announced the creation of the National Military Memorial Cemetery in Bykivnia,” said Vira Lytvynenko, Head of the “Heart nAZOVni” NGO Association of Families of Fallen Ukraine’s Defenders, at a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform. 

“On April 20 this year, the Kyiv City Council allocated a site for the National Military Memorial Cemetery development. However, since the beginning of August this year, the construction of the cemetery has been stalled,” said Natalia Zarytska, head of the NGO Women of Steel.

Holding a meeting on August 2, the Ministry of Veterans and the acting Minister of Culture, the families of the fallen heroes offered another location for the National Military Cemetery erection. It is a plot of land in the Hatne village, outside Kyiv. Last year, after considering several options, this proposal was rejected, and the site was recognized as problematic. In addition, the families of the fallen soldiers insisted on building the cemetery within the capital throughout the discussions. This was reported by Vira Lytvynenko, Head of the “Heart nAZOVni” NGO Association of Families of Fallen Ukraine’s Defenders, at a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform. 

“A week ago, we learned that Bykyvnia is too prestigious for our sons. What do we have today? We have nothing. Construction has not started, and the President has not signed the law. It’s spit in our faces. We were offered to go around in circles again, to wait for a new bill to be drafted, signed by the President, and for research to be conducted. We’ve heard that one before.”

“For us, this means going through this humiliating path of forcing the authorized persons to do their job and ensure the arrangement of the place where the heroes departed souls will find eternal rest,” said Nataliia Zarytska, Chair of the “Women of Steel” NGO, at a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform. 

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news