Yabloko leaders honoured the memory of those who died in the Second World War

Press Release, 22.06.2023

On the night of June 21-22, Yabloko held its traditional action “1418 Candles for Each Day of the War”. The action is dedicated to the memory of those who died in the Second World War. Yabloko leaders and activists laid flowers at the 1941 memorial plaque in Victory Park and lit candles.

According to Yabloko founder Grigory Yavlinsky, June 22, 1941 is one of the most tragic dates in the history of Russia.

“A day of remembrance and sorrow for the dozens of millions of those who gave their lives for our country and our future. We will never forget our compatriots participating in the most destructive, cruel and bloody of all wars that have ever taken place on our planet. We will be forever grateful to them for our lives, our children and grandchildren,” Yavlinsky said.

Yavlinsky believes that today it is especially important to remember and understand the causes and factors of the past and present disasters. However, what is happening today – the rejection of a ceasefire, the rejection of the most important things of saving human lives – demonstrates that modern politicians have not learned the lessons of the Second World War.

“A fundamental rethinking of this particular issue is required – an understanding that the main task of all the politics should be the preservation of human lives. No “rational” considerations, no territorial issues can be more important and valuable in the 21st century than human life. We need to think about this, we need to remember this. Especially on this tragic day – 22 June,” Yavlinsky said.

Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Rybakov also states that the most important lesson of the Second World War is the lesson of peace, and it has not been learned, since human life has not become an absolute value.

“Today, when we stand in the centre of Moscow, we understand that people are dying. Right at this moment. And so, lighting candles in memory of those who died in 1941-1945, our thoughts are about new victims. And we need to do everything to stop killing of people,” Rybakov believes.

Yabloko has been annually holding the memorial action “1418 Candles for Each Day of the War” since 2007.