Ukrainians will be celebrating their Day of Unity later this month as the war with Russia continues.
This week, President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that in just five days, Russia had launched 500 missiles and drones against Ukraine. In response Ukraine attacked the Russian city of Belgorod, where 25 people were killed and more than 100 hurt.
The war between Ukraine and Russia has been going on for nearly two years since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022 and is an intensification of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014.
Ukraine's Day of Unity could be the perfect reminder of Ukraine's efforts for peace, freedom and democratic progress. But how did the Day of Unity come about and when is it being celebrated?
What is the Day of Unity of Ukraine?
The Day of Unity is a celebration of when the Act of Unification of the Ukrainian People’s Republic (UNR) and the West Ukrainian People’s Republic (ZUNR) was proclaimed on Sofia Square in Kyiv in 1919. Despite the role of the UPR and WUPR's unification in the creation of the modern Ukrainian state, the holiday wasn't formally declared until 1999.
The 1919 Act held immense significance for the collective consciousness of the Ukrainian people. It evolved into a significant emblem of Ukrainian unification, which had been sought since at least the middle of the 19th century.
On January 22, 1939, the town of Khust in Carpatho-Ukraine, which was then an independent area within the Second Czechoslovak Republic, held the first celebration of unity.
That day, 30,000 people travelled from all around the region to the capital of Carpatho-Ukraine to stage a demonstration commemorating the events of 20 years ago, all while flying blue and yellow flags.
When is the Day of Unity of Ukraine?
On January 22 every year, Ukraine and Ukrainian diaspora celebrate Ukrainian Unity Day. On this day, protests and actions in favour of a sovereign, united Ukraine will take place all around the world.
There aren't currently any events being held in the UK but it's not too late to plan one.
