The most important flag in Ukraine — all 200 meters (656 toes) of it — was on show at Kiyv’s Olympic stadium on Wednesday, with lots of of individuals holding it up whereas singing the nationwide anthem and different patriotic songs.
They have been marking Ukraine’s “Day of Unity,” an impromptu celebration declared by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
For Serhii Kachinskyi, 45, Unity Day is all about displaying the world that on a regular basis Ukrainians like himself usually are not afraid of potential armed battle.
We’ve got lived with this for eight years, we perceive what’s occurring and we’re not afraid, we’re standing collectively and that is within the coronary heart of each Ukrainian,” he stated.
Whereas he stated the scenario has felt the identical for a lot of previous eight years, he sees one massive distinction.
We turned extra united, we’re pondering extra concerning the nation and we turned extra accountable,” he stated.
Wednesday’s significance: Zelensky introduced that as we speak can be a “Day of Unity” throughout an handle to the nation on Monday, remarking with irony that his authorities was informed Wednesday was the day Russia would invade Ukraine.
“We’re informed that February 16 would be the day of the assault. We are going to make it the Day of Unity. The related decree has already been signed. On today, we’ll hoist nationwide flags, placed on blue and yellow ribbons and present the world our unity,” Zelensky stated.
Whereas the celebrations have been muted, with some occasions across the nation solely attended by a handful of individuals, flags giant and small have been flying on many avenue corners.
The digital panels usually displaying commercials in Kyiv’s streets have been switched to a video displaying the flash flying, and a few authorities buildings have been coated with large blue and yellow banners.
Explaining warfare to youngsters: Natalya Schamych stated she got here to the stadium so as to be a great instance for her son. Children weren’t allowed on the occasion, however she is going to relay the occasions to him. Schamych desires her son to develop as much as be a accountable citizen, so she usually talks about politics and civic responsibility with him, she stated.
“I’d like for him to remain in our nation and to have a want to go away. I need him to have respect for the nation, to stay and work right here,” she stated.
She stated her son was too younger to grasp the complete image, however that he is aware of what’s going on.
“We are attempting to offer him info in a manner he can perceive, we don’t need him to get too scared,” she stated. “Within the kindergarten, they’re studying about this, they’ve military individuals are available clarify the scenario, he is aware of the place he lives, he is aware of that there’s a warfare.”
Life goes on: In the meantime, dashing to work in central Kyiv, 48-year-old Alim wrapped himself in a Ukrainian flag as if it was a superhero cape. He has been carrying the flag with him day-after-day for eight years now, he informed CNN.
As a Crimean Tatar, he by no means accepted the Russian annexation of his residence area in 2014.
“It’s my civilian place. I’m from Crimea, I’ve been carrying it because the occupation,” he stated.
Across the nook, international dignitaries, together with the German and EU ambassadors to Ukraine, have been laying flowers by the Memorial Wall devoted to those that defended Ukraine through the warfare that began in 2014.
Many pinned their coats with blue and yellow ribbons to indicate their solidarity with Ukraine.
For Alim although, Wednesday was simply one other day. One other day of carrying the flag, going about his personal enterprise.
