Day of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes and the beginning of Russian aggression: why February 20 is an important day for Ukraine

20 February 06:45

february 20 is a day that is forever etched in the history of Ukraine. This date symbolizes both heroism and tragedy, struggle and loss. It was on this day in 2014 that the mass shootings of the participants of the Revolution of Dignity took place, who will forever go down in history as the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred. At the same time, February 20 became the official date of the beginning of Russian aggression against Ukraine, which led to the occupation of Crimea and the war that continues to this day. "Komersant Ukrainian" tells more about the holidays, traditions and prohibitions of this day.

Day of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes

on February 20, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred, a memorable day dedicated to honoring the feat of the participants of the Revolution of Dignity. It was on February 20, 2014, that the most brutal shootings of protesters took place in the center of Kyiv, and this day became a symbol of the Ukrainian people’s struggle for freedom and democracy.

The first protesters were killed by security forces’ bullets back in January 2014, but the hottest confrontation in the center of Kyiv took place on February 18-20. Then about a hundred protesters were killed by firearms. The people who gave their lives for the eternal dream of the Ukrainian nation – a just, democratic and developed country – were called the Heavenly Hundred, and February 20 became the Day of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes in their memory.

The Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred include people of different nationalities, religions, education, and ages. Among them are citizens of Ukraine, Belarus and Georgia. The youngest of the Heroes, Nazariy Voitovych, was 17 years old, and the oldest, Ivan Nakonechnyi, was 82 years old. Of the 107 Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred, three are women: Antonina Dvoryanets, Olga Bura and Lyudmyla Sheremet.

Late in the evening of February 20, Ukrainian parliamentarians gathered and adopted a resolution condemning the violence against their citizens and recognizing the actions of law enforcement agencies as illegal. Everyone in the country realized that the criminal government had finally been defeated. on February 21, a farewell to the victims was held in the center of Kyiv, on the night of February 22, the former president left Kyiv, and on February 27, it became known that he was in Russia. Fearing responsibility, some officials and law enforcement officers followed Yanukovych’s example and left the country.

Commemorative events, laying flowers at memorials, and actions dedicated to the Heavenly Hundred Heroes are held in various cities of Ukraine.

Day of the beginning of Russian aggression against Ukraine

february 20 is the Day of the Beginning of Russian Aggression against Ukraine every year, as it was on this day in 2014 that the military operation to occupy Crimea began.

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine consists in the unauthorized armed seizure of the Crimean peninsula.

Having temporarily occupied the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, the Kremlin moved on to the next stage – the war in the Ukrainian Donbas, which has been going on since April 2014. Units of Russian special forces and other armed formations, Russian military “on leave” and military advisors have seized local authorities, police stations, and military facilities in certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.

Russia’s full-scale invasion took place on February 24, 2022. The war has been going on for 11 years.

World Day of Social Justice

This is an international holiday established by the United Nations in 2007. It aims to draw attention to issues of equality, human rights, poverty alleviation and social injustice.

Every year, this day is dedicated to a specific topic related to economic and social equality in the world. Forums, discussions and actions are held in different countries to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable groups of the population.

World Cholangiocarcinoma Day

This day is aimed at raising awareness of cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive type of bile duct cancer. Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignant tumor that develops in the bile ducts, which transport bile from the liver to the small intestine. The disease is often diagnosed at late stages due to nonspecific symptoms, which makes treatment difficult.

World Information Management Day

World Information Management Day is celebrated internationally and is held annually on the third Thursday of February.

Information management is the integration of various technologies, organizational practices and human activities to optimize the use and value of information (information capital) and manage its distribution by minimizing costs and potential risks. It aims to raise public awareness of the basic principles of information management.

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What is the church holiday today

According to the new calendar, today is the feast day of Bishop Leo of Katanga and Prince Yaroslav the Wise of Kyiv, who was canonized as a saint.

The prince is prayed to for peace, wisdom, and harmony between people. A prayer for Ukraine is read to him.