Volodymyr Zelenskyy marks National Flag Day as Russia continues to target Ukrainian cities

Published on 23/08/2025 - 14:12 GMT+2

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took portion successful a ceremonial successful Kyiv connected Saturday marking Ukraine’s National Flag Day. The vacation was inaugurated successful 2004 by a statesmanlike decree from then-President Leonid Kuchma.

It commemorates nan time Ukrainian deputies brought nan bluish and yellowish emblem into nan Verkhovna Rada – Ukrainian parliament – arsenic they pushed towards independency pursuing a grounded Soviet coup connected 23 August, 1991. Kyiv declared its independency from nan Soviet Union nan pursuing day.

Every year, connected nan eve of Independence Day, Ukraine’s emblem is raised supra authorities buildings and from windows crossed nan state to observe nan occasion. The emblem is not conscionable a awesome of nan state, but besides of nationalist dignity and personality that unites Ukrainians.

"This emblem symbolises what is astir precious to hundreds of thousands of our soldiers, men and women from each complete Ukraine, who are defending not conscionable a peculiar direction, not conscionable Vovchansk aliases Dobropillia, but our full Ukraine," said Zelenskyy.

"This emblem is simply a purpose, a intent and a dream for galore of our group successful nan temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. They cherish this flag, they cherish it because they cognize that we will not springiness our onshore to nan occupiers," he added.

A sombre ceremony was carried retired successful nan superior Kyiv, wherever nan emblem was raised adjacent City Hall connected Saturday. The ceremonial was attended by subject personnel, apical lawmakers, deputies of nan Kyiv City Council and representatives of nan capital’s community.

“Ukraine continues to conflict for its independence. Our emblem is simply a awesome of statehood, our strength. It is simply a talisman pinch which Ukrainian soldiers spell into battle,” said Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

“We solemnly raise nan nationalist emblem successful honour of our defenders, successful honour of nan steadfastness of Ukrainians. With it, we salary tribute to nan fallen heroes. Ukraine has shown that it will not retreat successful nan bloody struggle for its will, its land, and its European future,” he added.

The vacation comes arsenic Russia continues to target Ukrainian cities amid its intensified aerial assault, contempt ongoing world efforts, championed by US President Donald Trump, to extremity nan Kremlin’s all-out warfare connected Kyiv, good into its 4th year.

On Saturday, 3 group were injured arsenic a consequence of Russian shelling of nan metropolis of Kramatorsk successful Donetsk successful nan eastbound Donbas region. Two of nan wounded were transferred to infirmary for curen for what officials opportunity were mean injuries.

According to nan Donetsk location subject administration, Russian troops struck backstage housing, causing astatine slightest 10 explosions. An investigation has been launched to find nan afloat grade of nan damage.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defence Ministry says that it has taken power of nan settlements of Seredne and Kleban-Byk successful nan Donetsk.

President Zelenskyy meantime accused Russia again of insincerity successful its desire for bid arsenic he slammed nan Kremlin for avoiding talks pinch Ukraine to extremity its invasion, launched successful February 2022.

In a gathering pinch NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte successful nan Ukrainian superior connected Friday, Zelenskyy stressed nan request for information guarantees, akin to NATO’s Article 5, to guarantee his country’s continued freedom.

He besides accused his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of stalling negotiations citing a desire to further inhabit Ukrainian land. He called connected his friends successful Europe and nan United States to exert much unit connected Russia to unit them to nan negotiating array and extremity nan war.

Additional sources • AP, EBU