Remembering the heroes of the battle of Kruty, 100 years on.

On 29 January 1918, a Bolshevik military force numbering around 4,000 was advancing towards Kyiv. A force of approximately 400 soldiers, 300 of whom were still students, fought back at a place called Kruty, which delayed the Bolshevik advance, keeping Kyiv in Ukrainian hands. Over half of the 400 Ukrainian fighters perished in the battle and every one of those involved is considered a Ukrainian hero.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Kruty and the Ukrainian Youth Association in Bradford has planned several events and commemorations to mark this centenary, some of which are listed below.

Our yunatstvo have prepared a video presentation, remembering the names of the fallen Ukrainians which you can see by following the below:

On Sunday 21st January at “Yalynka”, the annual Bradford Ukrainian Community Christmas Meal and Carol concert, we will have a short commemoration remembering those who took part in the battle of Kruty.

Finally, at 9am on Sunday 28th January, we will have a memorial service at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of “The Holy Trinity and Our Lady of Pochayiv”, during the first mass to honour the heroes of Kruty.

We hope you can join us for these events to remember the sacrifice made 100 years ago at Kruty, as well as the continued sacrifice Ukrainians are still making today to defend their homeland!