President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in a ceremony at the Memorial Wall of St. Michael's Cathedral dedicated to the Day of Remembrance of Ukrainian Defenders, the Presidential Administration's press service reports.
In his speech, the head of state emphasized that every year the country honors the memory of Ukrainians, men and women who did not spare their lives, defending the values of their country - independence, territorial integrity, freedom, and the rights of the Ukrainian people to exist among free nations around the world.
"Words are always smaller than what we feel. And let the tears that will be there today, let the silence that will be louder than any words, let our respect, absolutely sincere, tell everyone how we really feel and how grateful we are to all our defenders, whose lives have become the life of Ukraine," Zelensky said.
The President also presented the Order of the Golden Star to family members of Ukrainian defenders who were posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine as a symbol of recognition of their selfless deeds.
