On August 23, Ukraine celebrates the Day of the National Flag. President Volodymyr Zelensky took part in the ceremony of hoisting the National Flag of Ukraine at a military airfield in Vasylkiv, the Kyiv region.
“Today, we celebrate the Day of the National Flag of Ukraine. Blue-yellow flag, under which our Armed Forces courageously defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state. Sometimes, unfortunately, at the cost of one’s own life,” Zelensky said.
The attendees of the ceremony honored the memory of the defenders of Ukraine, who died during six years of the war, with a moment of silence, the press service of Ukrainian President has reported.
Zelensky noted that the National Flag of Ukraine is one of the greatest national sacred objects, an invariable symbol of our free, democratic, independent state.
“It does not evoke any other emotions in us, except pride that you and I were born Ukrainians. The blue-yellow flag is our faithful brother, who is always with us, who gives us the energy to never give up and never lose heart,” he said.
The president reminded that the blue-yellow flag accompanied the defining moments of the Ukrainian state: both when Ukraine’s unity was proclaimed over a hundred years ago, and nowadays, when Ukrainian military, national guards and volunteers hoisted the Ukrainian flag over Donetsk and Luhansk airports, Avdiyivka industrial zone; when they liberated Mariupol, Lysychansk, Maryinka, Slovyansk, Kramatorsk and other lands of the Ukrainian Donbas.
“We thank everyone who, at the cost of their own safety and life, defends the Ukrainian state and the Ukrainian flag every day. Protects two symbols: a peaceful blue sky and a yellow fertile field. And every time the Ukrainian flag is hoisted, we look up to the sky with hope and faith that peace will finally come to Ukrainian land. That one day our flag will fly in Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea. And that future generations of happy Ukrainians will live under this flag for many, many thousands of years,” Zelensky stressed.
To the sound of the National Anthem, the warriors of the honor guard company of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hoisted the national flag over the airfield. The military saluted with ten volleys.
The ceremony was also attended by: Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, President of Ukraine (1991-1994) Leonid Kravchuk, President of Ukraine (1994-2005) Leonid Kuchma, President of Ukraine (2005-2010) Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine (2014-2019) Petro Poroshenko, MPs and others.
