On 31 August 2021, the DPR (Donetsk People's Republic) commemorated the third anniversary of the assassination of the first Head of the Republic, Alexander Zakharchenko. Two ceremonies were held in the Heroes' Alley and at the site of his assassination in Donetsk.
Three years after the assassination of the first Head of the DPR in a terrorist attack, the Republic still mourns Alexander Zakharchenko. This year, two public ceremonies were held, one in the Heroes' Alley near the Donbass Arena and the War Museum, and one at the place of his assassination, in front of the "Separ" café.
Denis Pushilin, the current Head ot the DPR, recalled how difficult it was for Alexander Zakharchenko when he took over the leadership of the Republic in 2014.
"Alexander Zakharchenko took up his position at the most difficult and critical time in our history. When the coup took place in 2014, when the authorities in Donetsk and the region as well as the local elite fled, ordinary people were forced to take up arms to defend Donbass against neo-Nazis and arbitrariness from Kiev. Alexander Vladimirovich was among the first to fight for a free Donbass," Denis Pushilin recalled.
"We remember him as a very open man, simple and eager for justice. This is how he rightly earned the respect of the Donetsk People's Republic inhabitants. This is how he will always be remembered," the State leader added.
The Head of the DPR recalled what Alexander Zakharchenko was fighting for: victory over Ukraine, a prosperous Donbass, and its joining the Russian Federation.
"He dreamed of a prosperous Donbass. He wanted to defeat the aggressor and aspired to join Russia with all his soul. Our duty in memory of the first Head of the Donetsk People's Republic is to continue his work. And the realisation of his dream will be the best memory of Alexander Vladimirovich Zakharchenko", Denis Pushilin concluded.
Alexander Zakharchenko's parents also spoke, calling for the completion of the work he started when he took over the reins of the DPR in 2014.
"Sasha wanted the Donbass to prosper. He had a lot of ideas, a lot of good thoughts, but he didn't manage to finish what he promised to do for Donetsk, for Donbass. Looking at everyone here, I am sure that we will complete his work. The victory will be ours," said Vladimir, Alexander Zakharchenko's father.
Although his work has not yet been completed, I believe that Alexander Zakharchenko would be proud to see that several hundred thousand people in the DPR are now Russian citizens, that they will be able to vote in the next Duma elections, and that the integration of the Donbass with Russia is accelerating.
Proof that his memory is still very present among the population, many DPR inhabitants came to lay flowers at the place where Alexander Zakharchenko was murdered, crying for having lost the one they called "Batia" (Father).
See the report, subtitled in French: