You're reading: Ukraine celebrates its independence today

Today Ukraine celebrated the 23rd anniversary of its independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. 

In Kyiv, yellow and blue flags fluttered in the breeze, while happy crowds of people, some adorned with garlands of flowers and embroidered vyshyvankas, hastened to Maidan Nezalezhnosti, or Independence Square. 

This morning, thousands of spectators lined the streets as columns of grads, ballistic missiles and armoured personnel carriers rolled down Kreschatik — according to President Petro Poroshenko this “newly purchased or repaired” equipment would be continuing its journey from the capital to the front lines of the anti-terrorist operation zone in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, where the Russian soldiers are active.

Formations of uniformed soldiers and policemen led the parade, goose-stepping down Kreschatik, whilst the national anthem and cries of “Glory to Ukraine” blared out from speakers surrounding the square.

Ukraine hasn’t held a military parade for independnece since 2009.

In an impassioned speech, Poroshenko spoke of the importance of remaining strong in the face of external aggression from Russia’s undeclared war against Ukraine: 

“Never before in 23 years, was a day as glorious as today. Never before were people as sincere as today, waving Ukrainian flags from every window and from every balcony — despite the hardship that our country is currently undergoing.”

Indeed, many Ukrainians believe that today’s parade was essential.

Olena Kucher, a Ph.D student at the Institute of International Relations, told the Kyiv Post: “We need to demonstrate that we have the army and that we can defend ourselves. It is very important as a reminder that we shall not obey anyone. This raises our national spirit, self-determination and sense of unity.”

Andy Hunder, a British citizen who is director of the Ukrainian Institute in London, was in Ukraine watching the parade on television. He was quick to highlight the political significance of the highly militarised ceremony: “This is the first parade since 2009 – a long pause during which the army was robbed by (ex-President Viktor) Yanukovych’s regime that made it absolutely unprepared for the Russian aggression. This parade shows that the Ukrainian army has been resurrected. Now, Vladimir Putin, a person who said that the demise of the Soviet Union was the greatest catastrophe of the 20th century, wants to bring Ukraine under Russian control again. But we can see that Ukrainians from all over the country are united in their desire to be independent and are ready to sacrifice their lives in the struggle for it.”

But not everyone rallied around the parade. For some, at a time when Ukrainians civilians in the east are dying as a result of the crossfire from both separatist and Ukrainian army shelling, to parade such equipment through the capital seemed grossly inappropriate.

Furthermore, members of the volunteer battalions, who are currently fighting alongside the Ukrainian forces in the East, had been excluded from leading the parade. Speaking with some members of the Aidar battalion, who refused to disclose their names, they told the Kyiv Post that they were unhappy about their exclusion: “We risk our lives for our country on a daily basis. To not be able to march alongside our fellow fighters and countrymen is disrespectful.”

Yulia Pinchakovska, a lawyer from Lviv, did not agree with such criticism. 

“I think the parade was appropriate. The costs for its organisation were minimised, while people were showns military equipment that will go straight from the parade to the ATO zone in eastern Ukraine. This year, it has a different meaning; the people gained a true feeling that the exhibited equipment is the one used by real soldiers who risk their lives. Yes, the parade will not help those who are fighting in the east now. But such events raise patriotic morale of the people, give them a sense of unity and inspire for heroic deeds and help everyone around you.”

Vadim Bistrov of Kyiv said: “This year is a special parade, as it should show the world our military power! As he was led to raise the spirit of patriotism among our citizens, so that they know what the Ukrainian army is stronger than ever. As for our battalion, we were in reserve near Khreshchatyk, in case of any provocations and attacks.”

Anna Piddubna, a student from Crimea, said: “I think the parade was inappropriate as all the equipment should be used in the anti-terrorist operation and not exhibited on the parade.”

Mykola Gnatovskyy, the second vice president of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, associate professor of international law at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

“I have watched the parade and listened to the president’s speech on TV. I am deeply touched by what I have seen and heard today. 

“For the first time in Ukraine’s modern history, I find such kind of celebration to be appropriate – even necessary. Some people say there is nothing to celebrate while hostilities are taking place in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions with people dying every day. Nonetheless, the parade is important precisely because Ukraine is now fighting a war for its real independence, a war against a ruthless and cynical enemy who is plainly denying the right of existence for the Ukrainian nation. We must use every chance to show our determination, our strength and our love to the Motherland. A military parade is not a bad way to demonstrate it to ourselves and to the entire world, including the aggressor state.

“This Independence Day is indeed very special. Ukraine’s independence is no longer an abstract notion as it used to be for a significant part of the country’s population just a year ago. Putin’s aggression has triggered unprecedented examples of patriotism, heroism and devotion from all the layers of the Ukrainian society, from the poorest to the richest. Independence has now become a deeply personal matter for everyone. This sense of unity and of the nation’s identity is something that will not disappear.”