More than 130 military, public and cultural figures, organizations and unions signed an open letter to the Ukrainian authorities calling for transparency in decision-making on the construction of the National Military Memorial Cemetery. The Reanimation Package of Reforms coalition supports the appeal and calls on each of you to join it. Please find the full text of the letter below.

To the President of Ukraine – Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi

To the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal

Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine Natalia Kalmykova

The appeal

We, the members of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, relatives of fallen soldiers, representatives of Ukrainian civil society and the media community, are calling on the authorities to hold an open nationwide architectural competition for the architectural and sculptural design and construction of the main military memorial of Ukraine – the National Military Memorial Cemetery (NMMC). 

With this open letter, we would like to express our distrust in the processes surrounding the construction of the NMC and call on all responsible parties to stop the neo-Soviet practices of backroom decision-making, tendering, and appointment of construction contractors.

For the first time in Ukraine’s modern history, our society is on the verge of building a central national place of remembrance where several generations of Ukrainian soldiers who gave their lives for Ukraine’s independence will find their final resting place. This location can lay the foundation for a new and dignified culture of military burials. At the same time, we see that the process of building the most important military necropolis has been extremely non-transparent from the very beginning and contradicts the accepted practices of Western democracies, with whose standards Ukraine seeks to be associated.

The roadmap for an open architectural competition for the preliminary design of the NRMC, where the best specialists of Ukraine would compete ideologically, was specially developed by the National Union of Architects of Ukraine for the Ministry of Veterans in the spring of 2023. However, this noble idea was overshadowed by a sharp change in the behavior of the responsible structures and individuals, who replaced fair competition with roundtables that served only as an imitation of a broad public and expert discussion.

The most striking embodiment of non-transparency was the “tenders” for the preliminary design and the selection of a construction contractor. Both involved one potential bidder each, because the Cabinet of Ministers and the Ministry of Veterans did everything possible to ensure that no one else knew about the launch of the contractor selection process through tenders. The first tender for the preliminary design of the NVMK began on August 30, 2023, and on September 15, an agreement was signed with the “winner” – ENGINEERING-HOLDING LLC, whose chief architect is Serhiy Derbin. 

Soon after, the same sole bidder and winner of the tender for the construction of the complex was the consortium of contractors Building.UA, one of whose companies (AKAM) is associated with the sanctioned businessman Vadym Yermolaiev, as confirmed by the Security Service of Ukraine and Hromadske investigative journalists. Yermolaiev was included in the sanctions lists in 2023 for running an alcohol business in Russian-occupied Crimea and paying taxes to the Russian budget in the amount of $6.5 million.

Previously, the company AKAM, with which the businessman is associated, was involved in joint projects with the chief architect of NVMK Serhiy Derbin in Dnipro, and now it has become the main supplier of granite for the future memorial complex of NVMK. Therefore, other types of stone available in Ukraine that could be used in the construction of key structures of the memorial cemetery have not been openly discussed with anyone from the public or expert circles.

Despite the public outcry and media attention, the management of the State Enterprise NVMK ignored the undermining of Ukrainian society’s trust in the process and quickly signed construction contracts with the scandalous consortium. This haste is covered up by the lowly speculation that a transparent architectural competition for the preliminary design of the NMP will allegedly delay or even stop the possibility of burying the dead, whose ashes the families have been forced to keep at home for years.

We recognize the need to start burials. The Ukrainian practice of burying heroes in different communities, as well as international experience in building national military necropolises, shows that such burials can be carried out immediately. Moreover, if the sectors of burials at the NWMC have already been identified on the master plan, and the utility lines have been laid as stated, there are no obstacles to the burials themselves. Therefore, holding a fair architectural competition in no way contradicts the burials. These important processes can take place in parallel.

We also cannot help but be outraged that the architect who was appointed to design the appearance of the largest military cemetery in Ukraine considered it acceptable to travel to Moscow during the Russian-Ukrainian war. In 2015, after numerous Russian war crimes, in particular in Ilovaisk and Debaltseve, when Ukrainian soldiers were giving their lives for Ukraine, Serhiy Derbin attended a design conference in the capital of the aggressor state, which he openly covered on his social media.

The main argument of those responsible is a formal reference to “the legality of the procedures and the lack of a legal possibility to cancel them.” However, when it comes to a project of such public importance, the maximum public legitimacy of the process of creating the IMC should be ensured. And this is impossible without an open dialog and transparent procedures.

We call on the President of Ukraine, the Head of Government, and the Minister of Veterans of Ukraine to ensure the equal right of Ukrainian architects and artists to fight honestly and fairly for the opportunity to participate in the creation of the National Military Memorial Cemetery. Unlike Russia, where the main military cemetery was built without architectural competitions, we do not live in a dictatorship, but in a democratic European state. 

Architectural competitions for memorials are already practiced in Lviv, Vinnytsia, and Chernivtsi, so it is unheard of for the central government of Ukraine, which could be the first to set a civilized example for local governments, to lag behind some local managers and set a bad precedent for potential abuses in communities.

We ask those in charge not to hide the non-transparent procedures behind the grief of families, as this further undermines public confidence in the government at a time when we all need to unite to defeat the eternal enemy. Do not deprive the Ukrainian society of a historic chance to think through and comprehend the appearance of the National Military Memorial Cemetery.

We strongly urge the government officials responsible for the project to return to common sense, respect for open and fair procedures, dialogue with society, and hold an open competition for the NMC design, whose roadmap has long been ready.

Let us be worthy of the sacrifice of our fallen.

If you agree with the text of the open letter, you can add your signature here.

Signatories:

Reanimation Package of Reforms Coalition (RPR Coalition)

Dartsia Veretyuk, designer, co-author of the Pantheon of Heroes at Mykulynetske Cemetery in Ternopil

Daria Hirna, journalist, author of the YouTube channel “Faces of Independence”

Taras Ishchyk, soldier, designer, author of the graphic style of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Myroslav Marynovych, political prisoner, 1977-1987

Natalia Lyhachova, head of the NGO “Detector Media”

Oleksandra Hlizhynska, head of the NGO “Institute Respublica”

Olga Lymar, executive director of the RPR Coalition

Vasyl Pavlov, military historian, head of the Center for Military History

Pavlo Kazarin, journalist, junior sergeant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Serhiy Sternenko, public figure and volunteer

Oleksa Rudenko, chief specialist of the Department for the Development of Military Symbols and Heraldry of the Central Logistics Development Department of the Ministry of Defense, Honored Artist of Ukraine

Ostap Ukrainets, serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Ihor Lachenkov

Marko Savytskyi, architect, public figure, member of the National Union of Architects of Ukraine

Lukian Turetskyi, serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, designer

Artem Chekh (Cherednyk), writer, sergeant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Oleksiy Chekal, designer, calligrapher, researcher at the Museum of Books and Printing of Ukraine, author of the graphic image of the OCU

Vlad Yakushev, writer, officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Ruslan Zabilyi, historian, museum worker, sergeant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Mykola Davydiuk, political scientist

Lilia Averyanova, associate professor at the Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics, mother of the Hero of Ukraine Andriy “Dus” Pilshchikov

Yevhen Ravsky, artist, serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Yuriy Makarov, journalist

Denys Bihus, journalist, founder of Bihus.info

Maksym Kolesnikov, veteran of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Natalia Nekypila, wife of the fallen soldier Dmytro Hulko, journalist, author of the project “War Memorialization”

Anton Liagusha, historian, researcher of public history, academic director of the master’s program “Memory Research and Public History” at the Kyiv School of Economics

Vitaliy Haidukevych, TV presenter, volunteer, co-author of the concept of modern uniforms and identity of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, co-founder of the NGO “Sprava Hromadas”

Akhtem Seitablaev, director, actor, serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Andriy Yermolenko, illustrator, soldier, Shevchenko Prize winner 

Kateryna Datsenko, journalist, co-founder of the NGO “Vshanui”, which promotes memorial practices 

The CO “Vshanui” is an organization that works on the formation and implementation of new memorial practices in Ukraine (including the Minute of Silence). The organization was co-founded by the deceased hospital worker Ira “Cheka” Tsybukh.

Andriy Andrushkiv, a soldier in the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Hlib Stryzhko, a veteran with experience of Russian captivity

Yurko Prokhasko, translator, author, psychoanalyst, member of PEN Ukraine

Serhiy Mykhalchuk, cameraman, junior sergeant, winner of the Dovzhenko State Prize of Ukraine, corresponding member of the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine, 4 times Oscar nominee from Ukraine, holder of the Order of Merit. 

Melania Podoliak, public figure

Editorial board of the media outlet “Grunt”

Ivan Shchurko, architect, public figure, coordinator of the NGO “Unknown Soldier”

Taras Prokhasko, writer

Bohdan Protsyshyn, veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war

Boryslav Bereza, veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war

Zurabi Alasania, serviceman, senior lieutenant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Mykola Matusevych, political prisoner of the USSR (1976-1986)

Oleksandr Ihnatiev, reserve colonel, veteran of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Iryna Nebesna, freelance journalist 

Yevhen Zakharov, human rights activist

Bohdan Kordoba, publisher, volunteer, son of a fallen Armed Forces captain 

Editorial board of hromadske.ua

Yevhen Spirin, journalist, combat medic, soldier of the National Guard of Ukraine

Valeriy Puzik, writer, poet, serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Sevgil Musayeva, editor-in-chief of the Ukrainska Pravda media outlet

Myroslava Barchuk, journalist, vice president of PEN Ukraine

Iryna Kovalenko, servicewoman

Kateryna Mikhalitsyna, poet, artist, member of PEN Ukraine

Olenka Herasymiuk, poet, hospital worker

Iryna Tsaryuk, volunteer

Irena Mykoliv, artist at Rhythm, in 4.5.0.

Yurchak Maria Bohdanivna, PhD in History, head of the NGO “Institute of Urban Culture”

Kostyshyn Yurii (Kit Kharakternyk), military man of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, writer, photographer, traveler

Andriy Fedorchuk, veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war, founder of the veteran brand “Alex Tymanov Group”

Julian Chaplinsky, chief architect of Lviv (2015-2019), Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Regional Development (2019-2020), founder of AVR Development

Liudmyla Dolhonovska, PhD in Philosophy, Strategic Communications Advisor to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2021-2023

Svitlana Povaliaieva, writer, public figure

Oleksandra Matviychuk, human rights activist, head of the Center for Civil Liberties

Volodymyr Dobriansky, archaeologist, speleologist, researcher of antiquities, fortifications and toponymy, Taras Shevchenko Scientific Society

Bohdan Logvynenko, founder of Ukraїner

Valentyn Desyatnyk, serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Uliana Movchan, public figure, founder of Connection Agency

Oleksiy Noskov, colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Yevhen Sasko, Colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Head of the Strategic Communications Department of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (2022-2023)

Valeriy Kurko, colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, participant of the Russian-Ukrainian war since 2014

Serhiy Kryvonos, Major General of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, First Deputy Commander of the Special Operations Forces (2016-2019)

Maryna Khromykh, public activist, servicewoman

Yuriy Kulyk, volunteer of the “On the Shield” mission, Uafreedom communicator, communications manager of the “Yellow Apron”, director and producer of “Food of the Fine City”, CEO of the “Marketing Agency Simple Solutions”, etc.

Iryna Pustynnikova (Blacky Kamienczanka), journalist, local historian, traveler, photographer, author of the first Ukrainian local history website “Castles and Temples of Ukraine”

Andriy Zakharko (Zoin), founder of the Respublica festival, head of the NGO Territory, head of the Bakota Hub retreat center

Olena Chebeliuk, researcher at the Museum of Dignity in Lviv, editor of the historical project on the Revolution of Dignity, Digital Archive of the Maidan.

Diana Klochko, art critic, public lecturer, essayist

Oleh Manchura, journalist, historian

Ihor Panchyshyn, architect-restorer, artist

Snizhana Polianska, public figure

Oksana Lobko, art critic and historian

Tetiana Danylenko, TV presenter, journalist

Serhiy Ismagilov, junior lieutenant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, ex-mufti of Muslims of Ukraine.

Ihor Skalskyi, physicist, organizer of the Otrokiv Laser Art Festival

Oleksandr Yabchanka, officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, doctor, lecturer at the Ukrainian Catholic University

Ivanka Krypyakevych-Dymyd, artist

Stepan Khmil, combat medic, chaplain

Mykola Melnyk, Ukrainian Self-Defense Forces

Oleg Dombrovsky, colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Lyudmyla Osachuk, Honorary Consul of Austria in Chernivtsi, independent auditor

Yevhenia Zakrevska, lawyer, military

Lesya Voroniuk, founder of the Vyshyvanka Day, NGO “World Vyshyvanka Day”

Natalia Murashyna, head of the International Development Foundation

Maksym Osadchuk, officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, historian, civic activist

Vasyl Mulik, lieutenant colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, military pilot, writer, poet

Anna Miroshnychenko, TV presenter, Channel 5

Anastasia Bakulina, founder and CEO of Svidomni media

Oleh Yaskiv, serviceman, scientist, art critic, Plast member

Yuriy Matevoshchuk, poet, serviceman

Oleksandr Tkachuk, film director, co-founder of the World Vyshyvanka Day, serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Dmytro Ivashchenko (Verbych), veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war, writer

Yuriy Vovkohon, veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war, culture manager 

Serhiy Takhmazov, cinematographer, serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Nastia Konfederat, military servicewoman, UAV operator

Svyatoslav Lipovetsky, historian, publicist

Yaryna Chornohuz, servicewoman, combat medic, poet, winner of the Taras Shevchenko National Literature Prize of Ukraine.

Memorial memory platform

Mariia Nazarova, tactical medicine instructor, co-author of the training program for combat medics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Iryna Sklokina, historian, researcher at the Center for Urban History, Lviv

Mykola Spiridonov, architect, biker, organizer of the Unity Motorcycle Ride

Natalka (Sonechko) Chekmareva, head of the NGO “Palms touch”

Rostyslav Shpuk, writer, public activist, photographer, co-founder of the art space Underground Passage “Vagabundo” in Ivano-Frankivsk

Yuriy Andrukhovych, writer, co-founder of the art space Underground Passage “Wagabundo”, Ivano-Frankivsk

Bohdan Brynskyi, artist

Oleh Hnativ (Mokh), journalist, producer of Familia perkalaba, artist of Gutzul magik foundation

Sasha Bul, singer, composer, writer, podcast host, soldier

Nikita Titov, artist

Tetiana Fedoriv, local historian, historian

Andriy Rybalko, serviceman, chairman of the board of the NGO ATO Participants “Sword”

Albert Tsukrenko, musician, journalist, member of the band “Hamerman Destroys Viruses”, editor-in-chief of the Co-Production and Outsource Commissioning department at Public Broadcasting

Kateryna Melnyk, officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, military psychologist

Liliia Prots, powerlifter, coach, public figure, international master of sports of Ukraine in powerlifting, candidate for master of sports in checkers and weightlifting, world powerlifting champion

Joseph Zissels, political prisoner of the USSR, public figure, executive vice president of the Congress of National Communities

Maya Yurkevych, head of the Charitable Foundation “Created to Win”

Bohdana Neborak, journalist

Roman Malynovskyi, writer

Editorial board of The Ukrainians Media

Editorial office of the News of a Healthy Person

Taras Prokopyshyn, co-founder, CEO of The Ukrainians Media

Kateryna Pryimak, head of the VETERANKA Movement

Daryna Smolnikova, lieutenant of the National Guard of Ukraine, head of the Escort Service of the 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov” 

Vakhtang Kipiani, sergeant of the 13th brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine “Charter”

Lyubomyra Remazhevska, investigative journalist

Stas Yurchenko, photojournalist