Ukraine Marks Independence Anniversary Amid War of Independence

Ukrainians are marking the 35th anniversary of their restored independence, a day that signifies not only freedom and the right to self-determination but also a deep connection to a centuries-long history of statehood. Proclaimed on August 24, 1991, this date represents a pivotal moment in Ukraine's modern history, ushering in a new era of building an independent nation.

However, for many Ukrainians, 1991 was not the beginning but a restoration. The nation's historical roots stretch back through various periods of statehood, including the Ukrainian People's Republic proclaimed in 1918, and even further to the Kyivan Rus' era. This long legacy, marked by struggles to preserve identity and statehood, informs the significance of the current fight for sovereignty.

President Volodymyr Zelensky framed the ongoing conflict with Russia as an "existential War of Independence." He stressed that Russia's imperial ambitions threaten not only Ukraine's territory but its very right to exist as a sovereign state and for its people to maintain their national identity. Despite over four and a half years of full-scale invasion, Russia continues its aggression, resorting to systematic terror against civilians and destruction of infrastructure and cultural heritage as it fails to achieve its battlefield objectives.

The commemoration takes place against the backdrop of relentless Russian attacks, which include the destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, and energy facilities, as well as assaults on Ukraine's cultural heritage. The Ukrainian people's resolve to defend their independence and national identity remains unwavering in the face of this ongoing aggression.