Today is the 61st anniversary of the liberation of Volyn from German-fascist invaders

Today, July 21, Volyn marks the 61st anniversary of its liberation from German-fascist invaders. Festive events are taking place today in all cities and districts, and in Lutsk a memorial rally and a solemn flower-laying ceremony were held at the Memorial of Glory to fallen soldiers, – reported the Western Information Corporation's own correspondent.

Lutsk Mayor Anton Kryvytskyi, Head of the Volyn Oblast Council Vasyl Dmytruk, and war veteran Illia Sezonets spoke at the rally.

In his address, Anton Kryvytskyi emphasized: "The liberation of Volyn became the final stage of Ukraine's liberation. Today, from the distance of time, it is easy to speak of mistakes and miscalculations of the command, although they undoubtedly also occurred. But it is not for us to take on the role of prosecutors and judges, correcting history to suit ourselves. We must remember the soldier-liberators by name, the living and the fallen, and remember them forever."

Vasyl Dmytruk noted: "Volyn Oblast twice became a theater of military operations – both in 1939 and in 1941. At a dear price, at the price of blood and life, the liberation of our land was paid for. We bow our heads before all defenders."

In Lutsk, exhibitions, themed evenings, and more have been organized for the liberation anniversary. Today, melodies of the war years and battle marches will sound in all districts and cities of the oblast, and a salute will take place.

ZIK reference:

From June 22, 1941 to July 21, 1944, the Hitlerites destroyed 165 thousand civilians in Volyn, and more than 30 thousand young men and women were deported to slavery in fascist Germany.

On July 21, 1944, the district centers of Ratne, Starovyzhivka, Liuboml, Ivanychi, the settlements of Zabolottia, Shatsk, and the cities of Volodymyr-Volynskyi and Ustyluh were liberated. More than 25 thousand soldiers are buried in 160 military cemeteries in mass and individual graves, including 26 Heroes of the Soviet Union.

After the liberation of the oblast, more than 107 thousand Volyn residents were mobilized into the Red Army. For courage and bravery, thousands of them were awarded combat decorations. 20 Volyn residents became Heroes of the Soviet Union.