Today Ukraine commemorates victims of Babyn (Babi) Yar

During World War II, the Nazis occupied Kyiv, Ukraine on September 19, 1941. Five days later, a huge explosion destroyed the Continental Hotel, the headquarters of the German Rear Area Command of the VI Army. Hundreds of German troops died in fighting the fires that spread in the center of Kyiv leaving over 25,000 people homeless. In retaliation, on September 29 and 30, 1941, the Nazis murdered 33,771 Jews in the Babi Yar ravine.

Over the next two years of the Nazi occupation of Kyiv, thousands more were seized and taken to Babi Yar where they were shot. It is estimated that over 100,000 - 150,000 Jews, Soviet POWs, communists, Gypsies (Roma), Ukrainian nationalists, civilian hostages, partisans, and others were murdered by the Nazis at Babi Yar.