A huge military parade featuring columns of soldiers and convoys of weaponry proceeded down Kyiv’s main thoroughfare, the Khreshchatyk, on Ukrainian Independence Day, August 24. By all accounts, it was a rousing success on many levels.
First of all, it was a celebration for all the people of Ukraine, no matter what language they speak, what oblast they are from, or their religious denomination. It was an affirmation that Ukraine – 25 years after the re-establishment of its independence – exists despite the best efforts of its age-old adversary, that it continues to make progress on its path toward Europe and that it is looking ahead to a brighter future. And it was a manifestation of national unity and patriotism.
The parade and its attendant ceremonies also constituted a major event that no doubt boosted the morale of all the branches of Ukraine’s armed forces. President Petro Poroshenko told them: “You have displayed heroism defending our native Ukrainian land. You demonstrate examples of courage and self-sacrifice every day. Now you will be marching with confidence along the Khreshchatyk. Demonstrating your soldierly appearance, emanating strength and courage, you will infuse still more belief in the combat capacity of our troops, their capability to defend the country to millions of our compatriots.” Indeed, the troops were loudly welcomed by the public as they proudly paraded down the broad boulevard.
There was a fitting tribute to the thousands of fallen heroes, volunteers and soldiers, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for Ukraine’s freedom, as well as the thousands of peace-loving people killed during the war. During a moment of silence, the mournful and evocative “Plyve Kacha” was beautifully sung. As for Ukraine’s living heroes, it must be noted that the loudest welcome was given to the veterans of the ATO (anti-terrorist operation), who marched behind the Ukrainian national flag.
The Ukrainian Independence Day parade also marked the first time the joint Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian brigade, which is successfully implementing NATO standards for military troop operations, made a public appearance. Onlookers greeted the brigade with great enthusiasm. The presence that day of the president of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, was significant as a visible expression of the strong support of this ally of Ukraine. Mr. Duda later thanked the Ukrainian president “for the opportunity to stand together today bowing our heads in tribute to the memory of those who perished for the independence of the Ukrainian state, the Ukrainian soldiers who died defending Ukraine.”
Another first at the parade was the new NATO-style uniforms worn by Ukraine’s soldiers, all part of the ongoing Westernization of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In what according to news reports was the largest military procession since 1991, the parade also featured tanks, armored transport vehicles, missile launchers and other heavy equipment. Over 200 vehicles in all rumbled down the Khreshchatyk in a remarkable display of power and a demonstration that the country’s military has been revitalized since the Euro-Maidan movement that become the Revolution of Dignity.
And then there were the commanding words of President Poroshenko: “What is this parade to demonstrate, in my opinion? The public will see their new army created almost from scratch within the past two years. The public will make sure that the armed forces get stronger year by year, and that national security strengthens. This parade will signal to our international partners that Ukraine is capable of defending itself, but requires further support – since our enemy is a country whose territory is equal to one ninth of the land area on the Earth, whose military budget is dozens of times higher than ours. Finally, our parade is a signal to our enemy as well. Ukrainians are ready to further fight for their independence.”