Duda commemorates Katyn massacre victims in Bykivnia

Polish President Andrzej Duda, on the 80th anniversary of the Katyn massacre, honored the memory of Polish officers at the Bykivnia Graves National Historical and Memorial Reserve on Sunday, October 11.

Duda wrote this on his Twitter account.

"Truth and memory must continue. Today, at the Polish War Cemetery in Bykivnia, I honor the memory of 3,435 Polish prisoners from the Ukrainian Katyn list who were killed 80 years ago by the NKVD and who died for a free and sovereign Poland," he wrote in Ukrainian.

According to the Polish Press Agency (PAP), Duda stressed in his speech in Bykivnia that this year is special in view of several anniversaries that are important for Poles, as well as for Polish-Ukrainian relations.

"This year is special due to this 80th anniversary, and it is also special due to the 100th anniversary of the great victory in the Battle of Warsaw in 1920 together with our Ukrainian brothers, allies against the Bolsheviks," Duda said.

He said that a hundred years ago, Polish and Ukrainian soldiers fought side by side to stop the Soviet onslaught.

According to Duda, Polish historians are sure that the Katyn massacre - the execution of tens of thousands of Polish officers - was revenge by Joseph Stalin for the defeat of the Bolsheviks near Warsaw in 1920.

Duda also said that Russia had taken Crimea from Ukraine and occupied parts of Luhansk and Donetsk regions. He noted that "our common duty is to return to Ukraine and Europe the borders that should be here," which is in line with international law and justice.

Duda arrived on a three-day visit to Ukraine on Sunday, October 11.

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