The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
On 20 February, Ukraine honors the memory of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred — the participants of the Revolution of Dignity who died in the winter of 2013–2
They gave their lives defending democratic values, human rights, and the European choice of the Ukrainian people.
This commemorative day was established by the Decree of the President of Ukraine on 11 February 2015 to immortalize the courage, civic bravery, and self-sacrifice of the people whose actions changed the course of Ukrainian history.
It was on 20 February 2014 that the largest number of protesters were killed in the center of Kyiv during mass shootings. The protesters who were killed, as well as those who died from injuries throughout the Maidan events, were named the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.
The mournful song “Plyne kacha…” (“The Duck Swims”), which played during the farewell ceremonies, became a symbol of the people’s memory of these tragic events.
The first victims appeared on 22 January 2014, and throughout February the number of those killed rose sharply.
The Heavenly Hundred included not only citizens of Ukraine but also foreigners who supported the struggle for freedom. Most of them were posthumously awarded state honors and the title of Hero of Ukraine.
The Revolution of Dignity became the largest protest in the modern history of the state. It united people of different ages, backgrounds, and nationalities around the desire to live in a free and democratic country.
Already during these events, Russia began its operation to occupy Crimea, which later grew into a prolonged war against Ukraine.
Today, the commemoration of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred takes place in the context of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war. Many participants of the Maidan continued the struggle as part of the Defense Forces, the volunteer movement, and the civic sector.
The feat of the Heavenly Hundred has become a symbol of the resilience of Ukrainian society and a reminder of the price of freedom, independence, and democratic development of Ukraine. Their sacrifice still remains a moral compass for the state and an example for future generations.
