Address by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman on occasion of the Remembrance Day of Kruty Heroes

Fellow Ukrainian citizens!

Today, Ukraine and Ukrainians all over the world commemorate the 100-th anniversary of the Battle of Kruty.

The Battle of Kruty is of the most heroic but at the same time one of the most hideous pages in Ukrainian history. Young Ukrainians, mostly students of metropolitan universities, many of whom did not know how to hold weapons in their hands, were engaged in a battle with the Bolsheviks Army. Near the railway station Kruty not far from Nizhyn they defended approaches to the capital of Ukraine. The forces were unequal, but young fighters have bravely fought for several days. However, 27 students had been captured and executed by shooting by the Bolsheviks Army. Before execution they had sung the national anthem.

The herioism of these young men had left imprint on millions of Ukrainians. Without having military training, but having unbroken spirit they gave their contemporaries and future generations of Ukrainians an unprecedented lesson of courage and patriotism. All the succedding generations remembered heroism of the Kruty Heroes. I am convinced that the feat of fearless young fighters will inspire future generations to hardiment and heroism.

Eternal memory to the Kruty Heroes!

Glory to Ukraine!

Glory to the Heroes!

Prime Minister of Ukraine                                  Volodymyr GROYSMAN