UWC honors the victims of Babyn Yar and calls for global support for Ukraine's freedom struggle – World Ukrainian Congress

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) solemnly joins Ukraine and the international community on September 29 in mourning the anniversary of the tragic Babyn Yar massacre and honoring the memory of its innocent victims.

Eighty-three years ago, on September 29 and 30, 1941, nearly 34,000 Jews were brutally murdered in the Babyn Yar ravine on the outskirts of Kiev, marking one of the most horrific mass murders of the Holocaust. The total number of victims of Babyn Yar is estimated to be up to 100,000, including Ukrainians, Roma and prisoners of war of various nationalities, political affiliations and religious beliefs.

For decades, the totalitarian Soviet regime tried to hide and erase the sad memory of the Nazi crimes committed in Babyn Yar. Only after Ukraine regained its independence in 1991 were Ukrainians and Jews able to properly honor those who died.

In a deliberate and cynical act, the invading Russian troops bombed the Babyn Yar national monument in Kiev in early March 2022, clearly demonstrating that Putin disregards the memory of the Holocaust victims.

As commemorative events take place in Kiev, the brave Ukrainian people continue their fight for freedom and sovereignty against the deceptive Russian terrorist state. The Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine aims not only to subjugate a nation and conquer territory, but also to eliminate Ukraine's national identity through this genocidal war against the Ukrainian people. The Russian leadership openly denies Ukraine's right to exist as a sovereign, independent nation-state.

Much like the Nazis, Vladimir Putin's authoritarian regime hides its imperialist ambitions and dreams of “world domination” behind disinformation, lies and criminal propaganda. With appalling cynicism, the Russians have distorted and manipulated the memory of the Holocaust and World War II to justify their predatory invasion of Ukraine.

“As we honor the victims of Babyn Yar, we call on all democratic and peace-loving nations to continue to stand strong with Ukraine and support President Zelensky's plan for victory. The international community cannot stand by in silence as Russia commits a new genocide on Ukrainian soil. It must help the Ukrainian people free their country from deadly Russian occupation and achieve a just and lasting peace. Just like National Socialism, Russian evil must be stopped,” said UWC President Paul Grod.