Memorial services of Armenian Genocide victims were conducted in all Armenian churches of Ukraine on Sunday.

Head of Ukrainian diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Grigoris Buniatian held a service in Kiev followed by blessing of two khachkars (cross-stones) and memorial service to the Armenian Genocide victims, Analitika.at.ua reports.

Events dedicated to the Armenian Genocide started in Ukraine on April 9 in Kiev and later continued in all major cities of Ukraine.

Today, April 24, Armenians throughout the world are marking the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey. The atrocities claimed over 1.5 million Armenian lives.

Many states have recognized the Armenian Genocide. Uruguay was the first to do it in 1965. The Armenian Genocide has since been recognized by Russia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Canada, Venezuela, Argentina, as well as by 42 of the U.S. states. The Armenian Genocide has also been recognized by Vatican, the European Parliament, and World Church Council.