The following statement was released in Ottawa by Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.
On February 20, Ukrainians around the world commemorate the fallen heroes of the Heavenly Hundred (“Nebesna Sotnia”).
In 2013 thousands of Ukrainians took to the streets when their hope for a better life within the European community was crushed by the pro-Russian Yanukovych regime. Millions of Ukrainians in all corners of the country decided to defend their rights, becoming the driving force behind the Revolution of Dignity. The authoritarian regime responded with violence, declaring war against its own people.
The state-sanctioned violence culminated in the regime’s snipers opening fire against the peaceful demonstrators.
On this day five years ago, more than a hundred Ukrainians paid the ultimate price in a battle for a free and democratic Ukraine. The Heavenly Hundred stood for democratic values, fundamental human rights and principles that define Western civilization. They stood against corruption and the authoritarian regime.
We join our Ukrainian brothers and sisters around the world in recognizing their bravery, determination and devotion to democratic values. Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity will forever stand as an example of courage, determination and unity.
Today, five years after the triumph of the Revolution of Dignity, the people of Ukraine continue to defend their country. The Russian Federation, in violation of international laws and treaties, has occupied the sovereign Ukrainian territory of Crimea and continues to wage war against Ukraine in the eastern oblasts of Donetsk and Luhansk.
As we honor the memory of the Heavenly Hundred, we also pause to pay tribute to the thousands of Ukrainians, both civilians and military, who have lost their lives in the ongoing war with Russia. May their memories be eternal.
Glory to Ukraine! Glory to her heroes!