On Sunday, August 24, Ukraine marks the 34th anniversary of the declaration of independence.
The holiday was established to commemorate the adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian SSR on August 24, 1991, of the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine, a political and legal document that formalized the new status of the state, Ukrinform reports.
Ukraine’s path to independence was long. Its origins date back to the Antian state and the unification of the Polian tribes of Rus, later forming Kyivan Rus. After the collapse of the Kyivan state, the traditions of statehood were inherited by the Galicia-Volhynia Principality, and later by the Lithuanian-Ruthenian Principality (Grand Duchy of Lithuania), within which the Kyiv and Volyn lands enjoyed broad autonomy.
In the 17th century, the Cossack state emerged on Ukrainian lands. For over a hundred years, the Cossacks fought for independence, but in the 18th century, statehood was lost, and the territory of Ukraine came under the rule of the Russian and Austrian empires for nearly two centuries.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Ukrainian national movement gained momentum, leading to the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917–1921. The Central Rada proclaimed the creation of the Ukrainian People’s Republic with its Third Universal and declared its independence with the Fourth Universal. In 1919, the Act of Unification affirmed the unity of Ukrainian lands. However, the UPR existed briefly, and statehood was lost until the late 20th century.
After the August coup in Moscow, an extraordinary session of the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian SSR on August 24, 1991, declared Ukraine’s independence and the creation of a sovereign state with indivisible and inviolable territory governed solely by the Constitution and laws of Ukraine.
This status was finally confirmed by a nationwide referendum on December 1, 1991, when 90.32% of citizens supported independence.
This year, Ukraine celebrates its most significant national holiday for the fourth time under conditions of a full-scale war unleashed by Russia against the Ukrainian people.
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“Ukraine’s Independence Day is a powerful reminder: we defend not only Ukraine’s borders, but also the rules-based international order and universal human values,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha on the social network X.
Sybiha added that Ukraine’s independence is a cornerstone of Europe’s security and the future of freedom around the world.
“We are deeply grateful to all our partners who stand shoulder to shoulder with us. Our unity is fundamental for truth and justice to prevail,” the Minister noted.
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“On the thirty-fourth anniversary of the restoration of Independence, Ukrainians are fighting the eternal enemy. For the twelfth year, we have been defending our freedom. For the fourth year, we have been repelling the full-scale invasion. The Ukrainian people will never surrender and will never give up their Independence,” said Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi on Facebook on the occasion of the state’s most important national holiday.
Today, he noted, Ukrainians continue the great work of their Heroes of the past, who gained an independent state through sweat and blood.
True independence, according to the Commander-in-Chief, is impossible without a strong and modern army.
“For the right of the people to be free, our army pays the highest price. We remember each fallen hero… I thank every man and woman who holds the line and moves forward in this powerful formation. Those who fight for freedom with weapons in hand and destroy the enemy. Those who strengthen our defense and support our army. I am convinced: we will defend our Independence. Its best guarantor is our military. Every brave soldier, sergeant, and officer,” Syrskyi stated.
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As reported, on the eve of the holiday, August 23, Ukraine celebrated National Flag Day.
Ukrinform photos can be purchased here.
