Ukrainian leader Konovalets reburied at National Military Memorial Cemetery – photos

A reburial ceremony for the remains of Yevhen Konovalets, a colonel in the Army of the Ukrainian People's Republic and the first head of the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), was held at the National Military Memorial Cemetery on 18 August.

Source: Ukrinform

Details: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who attended the ceremony, noted that Colonel Konovalets's fate was both heroic and tragic, as if symbolising that entire period of Ukrainian history.

Quote: "Today, all of us are taking part in an event of nationwide significance as Ukraine once again restores the highest form of historical justice – justice for itself. We are bringing home an outstanding son of the Ukrainian people. He was an exemplary soldier and a prominent Ukrainian statesman, Colonel Yevhen Konovalets.

Unfortunately, Ukraine was unable to establish itself as a state at that time – there was a lack of unity, the political leaders of the day lacked wisdom, and there was a lack of ability to build genuine ties with the world. But Ukraine's time came, independence was restored, and we defended Ukraine's right to be itself."

Details: Zelenskyy also stated that Ukraine would bring back to their native land all the heroes who fought for Ukraine, inspired others and worked for Ukraine but who, unfortunately, are buried outside the country.

The president also expressed gratitude to everyone who had preserved the memory of Ukrainian heroes over many years, including the Ukrainian Riflemen's Community of Canada, the Ukrainian National Federation and all Ukrainian patriots who had preserved the memory of Konovalets and his burial place for decades.

It is noted that the remains of the first head of the OUN have been reburied temporarily at the National Military Memorial Cemetery. They are subsequently expected to be reburied at the Ukrainian National Pantheon.

Background:

• In July, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the reburial in Ukraine of the remains of Yevhen Konovalets.
• On 11 August, Konovalets's remains were exhumed at Crooswijk Cemetery in Rotterdam.
• On 13 August, the colonel's remains were brought to Ukraine, where they were received with full state and military honours.
• On 25 May, a ceremony was held at the National Military Memorial Cemetery to rebury the remains of OUN leader Andrii Melnyk and his wife, Sofiia.
• On 1 July, the Verkhovna Rada passed a law on the Ukrainian National Pantheon, providing for the creation of a special memorial complex to honour people who made an outstanding contribution to the establishment and development of the Ukrainian state, the defence of its independence, and the development of culture, science, art, sport, the Ukrainian language and civil society. The Pantheon is planned to be located in Kyiv.

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