In Kyiv, the first Memorial to Military Intelligence was opened in Ukraine, which honors the memory of the employees of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR), as well as foreign volunteers who died for the independence of Ukraine. About this reported press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
“Metropolitan Epiphany and Lieutenant-General Kyrylo Budanov opened the first Memorial to Ukrainian intelligence officers in the country. A memorial to military intelligence officers was opened in the Ukrainian capital. The composition perpetuates the memory of employees of the Main Directorate of Intelligence, as well as foreign volunteers who died in the struggle for Ukraine’s independence.” – says the message.
The word Aeternitas (Eternity) is engraved on the central element of the memorial in Latin and other languages of the world, symbolizing the international character of the struggle: together with Ukrainians, foreign volunteers from more than 50 countries serve in military intelligence.
The two steles of the memorial composition represent wings and shields, and their relief reflects movement and struggle, strength and tireless resistance. A space of silence has been created between the stelae, where the names of scouts who died defending Ukraine are engraved. From a bird’s eye view, the composition resembles the shape of an owl’s eye — a symbol of eternal vigilance, protection, and an invisible presence. The author of the memorial was the famous sculptor Nazar Bilyk, who also created a memorial in honor of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred in Lviv.
The memory of the dead scouts was honored with a minute of silence and a military salute. The head of the Military Intelligence Service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Budanov, together with his colleagues from military intelligence and the families of the fallen soldiers, laid flowers at the memorial.
“Many of our scouts, unfortunately, returned to the shield, and their feats, sacrifices and contribution to the common cause of the struggle for Ukraine will live forever, just like the names engraved on the memorial plaques of the Memorial. Scout soldiers have gone into eternity, but they will forever remain in the memory of the entire Ukrainian people.” Budanov emphasized.
