Ukraine: a commemoration of 8-May “in darkness”, according to President Zelensky

While the Russian offensive continues on all fronts, kyiv tries to save the last defenders of Marioupol and counterattack around Kharkiv. Accusing Moscow of “challenging humanity”, Mr. Zelensky promises “victory” to the Ukrainians.

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The “Day of Souvenir and Reconciliation” could not be more badly named this year in Ukraine. Seventy-seven years after the end of the last world conflict, Ukrainian May 8 was a new day of violence, blood and tears. “Russia has forgotten everything that was important for the winners of the Second World War, accused the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, in his daily video message to the Ukrainians, as if it was not on May 8 today, As if tomorrow was not the 9th, when the key word should be peace for all normal people. “Moscow famous for its part the victory of 1945 on May 9.

The day of May 8 began with the broadcast of a black and white film in which President Zelensky gives a long and poignant speech in front of ripped and charred buildings in the city of Borodyanka, northeast of kyiv , in the region which was occupied by the Russian army between the start of the war on February 24, and its withdrawal, on March 31, after five weeks of unsuccessful offensive against the capital.

President Zelensky broadcasts on his Instagram account a birthday speech from the end of the Second World War, May 8, 2022. Laurent Van Der Stockt for “Le Monde”

“Each 8-May, together with the civilized world, we honor those who defended the planet against Nazism. We know the price paid by our ancestors For their wisdom. We know how important it is to preserve it and transmit it for eternity. But we had no idea that our generation would witness the desecration of these words, “said Volodymyr Zelensky, evoking the ‘Echo “painful and cruel” than this year the expression “never more!”.

“Darkness fell on Ukraine. The evil has returned. With a different uniform, with different slogans, but with the same intention,” added the Ukrainian president, citing “crimes”, “hatred “, ” xenophobia “. For him, today’s Russian aggression is worth yesterday’s German aggression, “despite the new mask of the beast”. Accusing Russia of “challenging humanity”, Mr. Zelensky has promised the Ukrainians “victory” and “peace”.

 families on a walk at the museum History of Ukraine in the Second World War, in kyiv, May 8, 2022. Families on a walk at the Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War, in kyiv, May 8, 2022. Laurent Van der Stockt for “Le Monde”

A new day of an implacable war

Then the day was, like the other days, that of an implacable war. Bombings on Odessa, for the second consecutive day. Offensives on the eastern front of Donbass, around Lyman, Popasniansky, Sievierodonetsk and Avdiivka. Attacks around Kherson. The day ending with the announcement of the bombing the day before a school in the village of Bilohorivka, where sixty refugee civilians would have been killed.

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/Media reports.