Ukrainians mark 35 years of independence amid ongoing war

Ukrainians at home and abroad marked the 35th anniversary of their country's independence from the Soviet Union on Monday, a milestone overshadowed by the ongoing war with Russia. The anniversary falls four-and-a-half years after Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022 Source: CNA. In Brussels, Misha Dzivitskyi, president of the Ukrainian Voices Refugee Committee, said the day is a reminder that "we stay in war," but also a moment to understand that "we have independence" Source: CNA. Some 70,000 displaced Ukrainians remain in Belgium under the EU's temporary protection scheme Source: CNA.

Flag Day ceremonies

A day earlier, on National Flag Day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended ceremonies in Kyiv, telling military personnel that the flag "symbolises what is most precious" to the soldiers defending "our entire Ukraine" Source: Al Jazeera. Participants raised the flag, observed a minute of silence for those killed, and sang the national anthem Source: Al Jazeera.

Commemoration abroad

In Tokyo, a sporting event featured Ukrainian war veteran Oleksii Kozak being helped out of the water, part of Independence Day commemorations Source: The Guardian. The day serves as both a celebration of the country left behind and a reminder of the stakes for millions displaced by the war Source: CNA.