Ukrainians and others will gather this Sunday at the Basilica in St. John’s to mark the Bucha Liberation.
The battle of Bucha was an offensive by armed Russian forces as part of a larger offensive to take the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
The battle began on February 27th of 2022 and ended on March 31st with the withdrawal of Russian forces.
After the withdrawal, shocking reports and images started circulating of the massacre of hundreds of civilians in the town, many of whom were left lying in the streets, while homes were rendered to nothing more than burned-out shells.”
Bodies of missing residents are still being uncovered as the clean-up and rebuilding continues.
March 31st is marked as the official anniversary of the liberation of Bucha from Russian occupation.
Katarina Gavrilyuk says “ribbons of freedom” will be handed out to those in attendance.
Gavrilyuk says it will recognize what happened there with some prayers with a performance by the Lady Choir and guest speakers. She says some survivors of the occupation and massacre will also be in attendance, but whether they choose to speak will be up to them. “We are not sure if they will be ready to speak, but we will read their statements.”
Recognition of the liberation of Bucha and remembering the lives lost will take place this Sunday at 2:00 at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist. Everyone is welcome.
