A memorial complex will be built in Irpen in memory of the city's fallen defenders

In Irpin, Kyiv Oblast, on the territory of the Church of the Intercession of Our Lady, OCU plans to build a memorial complex in honor of the fallen defenders of the city. This was announced by Evgenia Antonyuk, head of the department of culture, nationality and religion of the Irpin Municipal Office.

“We held a very constructive meeting on the creation of a complex in honor of the fallen citizens of Irpin - defenders of our city and those who gave their lives for Ukraine's independence, as well as civilian residents of the community whose lives were taken by the war,” the official said in the post.

She said the complex is planned to be built on the grounds of the Church of the Intercession of Our Lady OCU in the town of Irpin and surrounding areas.

“It was here, nearby, on the modern Alley of Heroes of the ATO, that the history of commemorating the deeds of our fallen compatriots – defenders of Ukraine – began”, noted Evgeniya Antoniuk.

In her opinion, the temple area should be combined into one complex with the ATO Heroes' Avenue, the site of the Territorial Defense monument and the square next to the furniture store.

What is known about the defense of Irpen and the honoring of the feat of the city's defenders

Irpin was under occupation for over 3 weeks. The Ukrainian army liberated the city from Russian troops on March 28, and the entire Kiev Oblast on April 2, 2022. At least 200 civilians were killed during the Russian occupation of Irpin.

At the end of March last year, President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded Buchi and Irpen the title of "hero cities" to honor the feat, mass heroism and resilience of citizens shown in repelling the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

The first commemorative plaque in Ukraine in honor of soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was unveiled in Irpin. It was created in honor of the volunteers who defended Irpin at the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia. A stele or monument in honor of the volunteers may also appear in Irpin, Kyiv Oblast, and the bridge over the Irpin River destroyed by Russian troops will become part of the monument.

The man on the bike on the left is one of thousands of people who move around the streets of burned cities. Entire blocks of flats have been demolished – but others remain intact. People who fled in February and March are slowly returning. In the background you can see a crane finishing building new blocks. Life goes on…