On May 8, Ukraine celebrates Remembrance and Victory Day, honoring those who died in World War II of 1939–1945.

This day was established by the Law of Ukraine in 2023 as a sign of solidarity with Europe in remembering that terrible tragedy in the history of mankind. The symbol of remembrance of World War II, the poppy of remembrance, is also common. The slogan of the campaign is “We Remember! We Win!”.

Remembrance and Victory Day is a reminder that World War II began as a result of agreements between two totalitarian regimes: National Socialist (Nazi) in Germany and Communist in the USSR, as well as the tacit reluctance of the most powerful states in the world to resist the aggressors. In 1939–1945, both totalitarian regimes committed numerous crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of genocide on Ukrainian soil, as a result of which the Ukrainian, Jewish, Crimean Tatar, and other peoples living within the territory of modern Ukraine suffered enormous losses. And Ukrainian soil was one of the main theaters of hostilities, a place of large-scale battles and the fiercest resistance.

The ICF Jewish Hesed Bnei Azriel has helped and continues to provide comprehensive assistance to victims of Nazism. Today, there are very few of those who fought against the Nazis in their youth or worked in the rear, because their dates of birth fall between 1923 and 1928. Yes, time takes its toll. But their true memories, which were recorded by family members or published, are lessons of history that have now acquired immense importance. The victory over Nazism reminds us that evil is not eternal, and truth and will ultimately triumph. We express our sincere gratitude to all who fought for the Motherland, freedom, human dignity and peace.

Let us remember those who died. Let us bow to those who survived and gave us freedom and will. Let us not repeat the mistakes of the past.