On March 31, on the anniversary of the liberation of Bucha from Russian occupation, commemorative events were held at the Council of Europe to honor the victims of one of the most horrific crimes of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. At the initiative of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, a screening of the feature film "Bucha," directed by Stanislav Tiunov, was organized at the Palais de l'Europe.

Based on real events, the film tells the story of volunteer Kostiantyn Gudauskas, who risked his life during the occupation of the Kyiv region to evacuate civilians from under Russian shelling and checkpoints. It is more than just a feature film; it is a testimony to the aggressor's crimes, conveyed through the real stories of people who survived the occupation.

For this reason, the film screening at the Council of Europe holds special significance. At a time when work continues within the Council of Europe to establish a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, such testimonies build a shared understanding of the need for inevitable punishment.

Opening the event, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the Council of Europe Mykola Tochytskyi emphasized the importance of preserving memory and holding Russia accountable. First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniyenko stressed that Bucha has become a symbol of truth about this war, changing the world's perception of Russian aggression. We express our sincere gratitude to the Tour En Sol Association for their assistance and support in organizing the screening.

Bucha is memory. Bucha is truth. Bucha is accountability.