"We will not forgive Russia even a single destroyed life:" Zelenskyy on the anniversary of the Ilovaisk tragedy reminds of the enemy's cunning

On the 10th anniversary of the Ilovaisk tragedy, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminded of the cynicism of the Russian occupiers. He assured that Ukraine will never forget this planned, cynical crime and will not leave it unpunished.

This was stated in the Ukrainian leader's Telegram. He called on Ukrainians to honor the memory of all those who fought for our country and gave their lives.

"On August 14, on these very days, the Russian occupier committed one of the most despicable crimes of this war – killing hundreds of our soldiers near Ilovaisk. It was a planned, cynical Russian crime that Ukraine will never forget and will not leave unpunished," the Head of State assured.

"We will always remember every person whose lives were taken by this war. And we will not forgive Russia for a single Ukrainian life destroyed," the president wrote.

Zelenskyy met with the families of the fallen Ukrainian defenders. He emphasized that everyone in Ukraine should always be grateful to all those people who made their most important choice in life, a choice in favor of Ukraine and for the sake of our national dignity.

"May the memory of all our heroes of different times who fought for Ukraine's independence be eternal and bright! May every Ukrainian family that gave Ukraine the most valuable thing – the life of a son or daughter, brother or sister, father or mother – may every such Ukrainian family always receive gratitude and respect from Ukraine," the Ukrainian leader said.

To recap, on the tenth anniversary of the Ilovaisk tragedy, Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov reminded of the lesson learned from it: dictator Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted under any circumstances, and any compromise with him is a trap.

The DIU Chief called on Ukrainians to honor the memory of all the fallen defenders of Ukraine, to remember their names, heroism, courage, and deeds.

According to official data, 366 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in the battle for Ilovaisk, and 158 more are still missing.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, after taking office, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy designated August 29 as the Day of Remembrance of the Fallen Defenders of Ukraine and dedicated it to the anniversary of the Ilovaisk tragedy in the Donetsk region.

To honor the memory of the fallen defenders, Ukrainians bring sunflowers to monuments and memorials. The choice of the flower was inspired by historical events: to retreat from Ilovaisk, the Ukrainian military had to move through fields of sunflowers. Somewhere between them, they were caught by enemy fire.

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