Ukraine marks Day of Heroes

Source: Bukvy

Annually, on May 23, Ukraine marks the Day of Heroes – those who fought for an independent Ukrainian state.

On this day, Ukrainians honor all those who defended the country from invaders, from the knights of the Kyivan Rus era until present days.

Until Ukraine gained independence in 1991, the Day of Heroes was marked only underground and mostly by former UPA soldiers and dissidents. Only from 1992, it began to gain publicity and be celebrated on a larger scale.

The Day began to be marked even more actively after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014.

The Day of Heroes is a day of remembrance of all Ukrainians who dedicated their lives to the struggle for the freedom and independence of Ukraine. Today, it is another day for symbolic commemoration of defenders of Ukraine who died in the war with Russia.

‘Today we honor those who carry the spirit of courage, sacrifice and patriotism. There are many such heroes among us, in different parts of our country. They protect our land, our freedom and independence,’ the Verkhovna Rada statement says.