National Flag Day was established 13 years after Ukraine became independent in 1991. [Michael Sorrow/Anadolu]By Anadolu, EPA and ReutersPublished On 23 Aug 202623 Aug 2026Ukrainians have observed a national holiday meant to instil patriotism during the fifth year of their war against Russia.
On Ukrainian National Flag Day on Sunday, participants raised the flag, observed a minute of silence for those killed in the war, sang the Ukrainian national anthem and listened to patriotic and folk songs performed by a military orchestra.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended ceremonies in the capital, Kyiv.
Addressing military personnel, Zelenskyy said the flag “symbolises what is most precious” to the thousands of soldiers defending “our entire Ukraine”.
Ukraine’s National Flag Day was established as a national holiday on August 23, 2004, one day before its Independence Day.
