Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree on a national minute of silence to honor the memory of all Ukrainians who died in the war with Russia. The head of state stated this in a video address on Wednesday, March 16.

"Today I signed an important decree on a national minute of silence to honor the memory of all Ukrainians who died in our domestic war. All those we lost because of the Russian invasion. Because of the terror unleashed by the occupiers," the president said.

According to Zelensky, every morning at 9:00 a.m. throughout the state will remember Ukrainians who gave their lives, all military and all civilians, adults and children - all who could have lived if Russia had not started the war.

"Eternal memory to everyone who died for Ukraine!" - the head of state added.

Recall that according to the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the confirmed number of civilian deaths in Ukraine as a result of Russia's armed attack has risen to 691, including 48 children.

The UN believes that the real civilian casualty figures are "significantly higher" due to intense fighting in some areas and delayed reports, including from Izyum in the Kharkiv region, the southern city of Mariupol, and Volnovakha in the Donetsk region.