Zelensky, Jewish community leaders commemorate 85th anniversary of Nazi's Babyn Yar WWII massacre
Zelensky, during his speech at the memorial ceremony for the Holocaust massacre, likened Russia's actions in the Ukraine-Russia War to horrors committed by the Nazis during World War II.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined Jewish community leaders on Tuesday to mark the 85th anniversary of the 1941 Nazi massacre at Babyn Yar. The ceremony, organized by Ukraine's Presidential Office, Babyn Yar memorial complex, and the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine, took place on the same date as the tragedy - September 29 and 30.
Zelensky emphasized the importance of remembering the atrocities committed at Babyn Yar and the ongoing suffering faced by Ukrainians, with a particular focus on the recent Russian aggression. He called for an end to the ongoing conflict, urging international support in the fight against Russian atrocities.
Representatives from approximately 50 countries participated in the commemoration, including Israel's Ambassador to Ukraine, Roi Rosenblit. Concerns over a possible attack led to the deployment of special air-defense systems and snipers around the site.
During the event, Zelensky discussed the repatriation of the remains of Israeli teen Daniel Umansky, who was killed in Kyiv by a Russian drone strike. Daniel's family is working with Jewish community leaders in Kyiv to ensure his remains are returned to Israel.
One of the attendees, Rebbetzin Devorah Leah Levenhartz, shared her family's connection to Babyn Yar. Her grandmother, Sonia, was murdered at the site in her fifties. Levenhartz expressed her gratitude for the thriving Jewish community established in Kyiv, and the importance of remembering the victims of Babyn Yar, who tragically lost their lives 85 years ago.
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