In his address President Yushchenko emphasized that the feat of patriots, who started to defend the Ukrainian statehood on January 29, 1918 'has its eternal, spiritual dimension'. "At the cost of their life they showed that love for the Motherland is a powerful force that is much higher than weapons and any internal or external threats. These are live values that should consolidate all of us and indicate our common path - the path of independence, unity and democracy," the head of state underscored. On January 27-29, 1918, 270 students of the First Youth School named after Bohdan Khmelnytsky and 30 soldiers of the student hundred (volunteers, students and pupils of Kyiv gymnasiums) died in an unequal fight nearby the Kruty station trying to resist advance of Russian Bolsheviks headed by Mikhail Muravyov to Kyiv. They defended the government of the Central Rada and independence of Ukraine. The volunteers stopped the enemy's offensive for two days and paid for that with their lives. This fight has become a symbol of fight for freedom and independence of Ukrainian people. Later, in March 1918, bodies of 30 Kruty heroes were buried at the Askold grave.