July 28 – Day of Ukrainian Statehood.

In 2023, Ukraine will celebrate the Day of Ukrainian Statehood for the second time, it was established by the Decree of the President of Ukraine dated August 24, 2021. This memorable date is intended to remind that Ukrainian state-building has more than a thousand-year tradition, and its origins lie in the Rus medieval state, the center of which was Kyiv.

The Statehood Day is celebrated on the same day when Ukrainian Christian churches honor the memory of Prince Volodymyr the Great of Kyiv and the Baptism Day of Rus-Ukraine.

The Day of Ukrainian Statehood reminds us of the thousand-year history of statehood in our country. On this holiday, we honor all the stages of our nation-building – from Rus to the present day, and all those who made efforts to make Ukraine a state. The Day of Ukrainian Statehood is inextricably linked with the development of the army and military traditions. The defenders of our statehood are the descendants of Rus warriors, Cossacks, Sich riflemen, and soldiers of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. Modern Armed Forces of Ukraine, restraining the aggressor – the Russian Federation, protecting the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, prove that Ukrainians are a nation-army. Throughout the long history, Ukrainians have not abandoned the struggle for freedom and the acquisition of statehood. Ukraine declared independence for the first time in the 20th century on January 22, 1918. It was restored by the act of August 24, 1991.

In 2023, Statehood Day is celebrated on July 28. But already next year, July 15 will be celebrated in view of the transition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church to the New Julian calendar style. On July 14, the Verkhovna Rada voted for the relevant draft law introduced by the President.