Ukraine 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 in an address published by his press service.

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