The biggest flag in Ukraine — all 200 meters (656 toes) of it — was on show at Kyiv’s Olympic stadium on Wednesday, with a whole lot 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 exhibiting the world that on a regular basis Ukrainians like himself are usually 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 mentioned.
Whereas he mentioned the scenario has felt the identical for a lot of previous eight years, he sees one huge distinction.
We grew to become extra united, we’re pondering extra concerning the nation and we grew to become extra accountable,” he mentioned.
Wednesday’s significance: Zelensky introduced that at this time can be a “Day of Unity” throughout an deal with 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 this present day, we’ll hoist nationwide flags, placed on blue and yellow ribbons and present the world our unity,” Zelensky mentioned.
Whereas the celebrations have been muted, with some occasions across the nation solely attended by a handful of individuals, flags massive 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 exhibiting the flash flying, and a few authorities buildings have been coated with big blue and yellow banners.
Explaining battle to youngsters: Natalya Schamych mentioned she got here to the stadium in an effort to be a very good instance for her son. Children weren’t allowed on the occasion, however she is going to relay the occasions to him. Schamych needs her son to develop as much as be a accountable citizen, so she typically talks about politics and civic obligation with him, she mentioned.
“I’d like for him to remain in our nation and to have a need to depart. I need him to have respect for the nation, to stay and work right here,” she mentioned.
She mentioned her son was too younger to know the complete image, however that he is aware of what’s going on.
“We try to offer him info in a approach he can perceive, we don’t need him to get too scared,” she mentioned. “Within the kindergarten, they’re studying about this, they’ve military individuals are available in clarify the scenario, he is aware of the place he lives, he is aware of that there’s a battle.”
Life goes on: In the meantime, speeding 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 each 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 mentioned.
Across the nook, overseas dignitaries, together with the German and EU ambassadors to Ukraine, have been laying flowers by the Memorial Wall devoted to those that defended Ukraine throughout the battle that began in 2014.
Many pinned their coats with blue and yellow ribbons to point out 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.
Yulia Kesaieva contributed reporting to this submit.
