Ukrainians remember WWII victims on May 8

The Yomiuri Shimbun

16:12 JST, May 9, 2022

LVIV, Ukraine — Memorial ceremonies were held Sunday across war-torn Ukraine for victims of World War II.

May 8 marked the day when Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered to Allied forces 77 years ago, ending WWII in Europe. Memorial services have been held annually in Ukraine to remember the dead from that war.

Due to the ongoing invasion, the number of participants in a ceremony in Lviv, western Ukraine, was limited to 70 people from the usual 500. Hymns were sung by a choir, and participants laid bouquets and candles of blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukrainian national flag, on a monument.

A 20-year-old university student said it was sad to have to remember victims from the current war in a ceremony dedicated to not repeating a conflict like WWII.