It is an anniversary that has taken on new special significance.
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Ceremonies have been held to mark 81 years since Ukraine’s devastating famine known as Holodomor, which killed more than six million people.
Many believe it was an orchestrated attempt at genocide by the Soviet leader Stalin, to crush moves towards independence.
Petro Poroshenko, the Ukrainian President, told a remembrance ceremony: “Having an enemy, who broke into our land, is something that makes us reconsider the events of 1932-33. It was, like today, a real war without warning against Ukraine.”
People gather at a special memorial to pay their respects to those who died in the famine, which has been the subject of much debate and analysis for years.
One woman attending the ceremony told euronews: “We have to focus our efforts, become united, that’s what this tragedy teaches us. This year’s Holodomor anniversary is really sad for me. My daughter was born exactly a year ago and I can’t imagine something like this happening to my family.”
Euronews correspondent Angelina Kariakina reported: “This year’s Holodomor anniversary is special. Latest events in the country have forced many Ukrainians to rethink their past, especially the Soviet years. The knowledge and memory of that time defines Ukraine’s current pro-European choice.”