Dnipro-based paratroopers honored the memory of their comrades-in-arms who perished in the sky over Luhansk. Chaplains with the OCU and other denominations prayed for the fallen servicemen to rest in peace.
That’s according to the Public Relations Service of the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
On June 14, 2014, at 1:00 am, during a combat flight to Luhansk, a Ukrainian military transport aircraft IL-76 MD was shot down by Russian terrorist forces. Onboard were 40 servicemen with the 25th Airborne Brigade and nine crew members of the 25th Air Force Transport Aviation Brigade, Melitopol.
The paratroopers were being deployed as support for their comrades who at the time were defending the Luhansk International Airport.
This year, on June 14, on the anniversary of one of the worst war tragedies, in the village of Hvardiyske, Dnipropetrovsk region, at the base of the 25th Brigade, people gathered to honor the memory of the fallen heroes.
Along with the brigade personnel, families and friends of the perished troops, as well as leaders of the Cherkasy community, the city of Novomoskovsk, Dnipro, and the region, the clergy, members of the National Guard, the national police, and the State Emergencies Service all came to commemorate the heroes.
A minute of silence was observed and flowers were laid at the memorial to the fallen paratroopers.
“Since the first days of war, we have been side by side with our military. We support, heal, and help them. There can’t be any other way! Because it is you, the shield that reliably protects the lives of all Ukrainians! You are the heroes of today! We will never forget the great exploits of the fallen,” said Tetiana Huba, Adviser to the Chairman of the Regional Council for ATO-JFO issues.
