Hundreds of Ukrainian recruits joined forces on Saturday with soldiers from the British Army to mark Ukrainian Independence Day at a UK training camp.
With former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other politicians encouraging people to mark Ukraine’s national day by not being silent in the face of Russia’s aggression and to “Make Noise for Ukraine,” events were also held across the UK.
Amongst these events, was a demonstration of the UK Defence’s steadfast support of Ukraine hosted by the British Army’s Queen Dragoons Guards at a training camp for Ukrainian recruits in the north of England.
A morning field service and parade began with a reflective minute’s silence as all those who gathered considered what Ukraine is fighting for and remembered those who have died for the cause of Ukraine’s sovereignty. Following the silence, a rousing speech was delivered by a Ukrainian Commanding Officer, before the Ukrainian national anthem was sung by the assembled troops, and then came the moment of noise. A ferocious cry of ‘Slava Ukraini [Glory to Ukraine] was returned with force by the nearly 1,000 strong crowd as they roared Heroiam slava! [Glory to the heroes].
Afterwards the recruits watched the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, deliver his Independence Day of Ukraine address to the nation.
Ukraine declared the nation’s independence from the Soviet Union, on 24 August 1991 and the day has been marked every year since. It has taken on more significance in the wake of unprovoked Over 900 days have passed since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the milestone has now become an opportunity for people across the UK and the world to honour the strength, resilience and identity of the Ukrainian people.
Since 2022, the UK has trained over 45,000 Ukrainian recruits on British soil with the help of 12 other nations as part of Operation Interflex.
A spokesperson said: “We must not be silent in the face of Russia’s aggression. The UK government and our partners in NATO are leading an international campaign to ‘Make Noise For Ukraine’ on Ukrainian Independence Day. Organisations and members of the public are encouraged to join the campaign by posting a video that makes noise for Ukraine alongside the national salute, ‘Slava Ukraini’ – Glory to Ukraine! on social media with the hashtag #MakeNoiseForUkraine.”
Since Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 the country’s Independence Day has taken on more importance to its people. It is marked in Ukraine and around the world by the Ukrainian diaspora and celebrates Ukraine’s culture, tradition, history, language, and nationhood all of which are being threatened by Russian aggression.
For more information please visit Make Noise For Ukraine on Ukrainian Independence Day – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
