Freedom from Nazis: Ukraine celebrates 70th Liberation day

Kiev, Oct 28: Ukraine on Tuesday, Oct 28, celebrated the 70th anniversary of liberation from Nazi occupantion.

The liberation of the Ukrainian territory from Nazi troops was accomplished by Soviet soldiers who fought in four Ukrainian war fronts, the Belarusian war front and marines of the Black Sea Fleet.

The Soviet Red Army lost 2.6 million soldiers in fighting for the liberation of Ukraine since August 1943 until October 1944.

President Petro Poroshenko congratulated World War II veterans and expressed "gratitude for the courage displayed in battle, for their staunchness and self-sacrifice".

The celebration was decreed by former Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko in 2009.

Earlier, commemoration acts were held nationwide with flowers laid at World War ll memorials all across Ukraine.

IANS