KIEV, April 26 – Ukraine on Sunday paid homage to victims of the Chernobyl catastrophe, 23 years after the worst nuclear accident in history.

"Today we remember with profound sadness those heroes who fought against the nuclear storm and sacrificed themselves for us and our children," President Viktor Yushchenko said.

Some 100 Ukrainians, including Yushchenko and other top officials, laid wreaths overnight before the monument to Chernobyl's victims in Kiev and lighted candles during a religious service dedicated to the tragedy, an AFP reported.