- Title: WRAP: Ukrainians mark Independence Day amid fears of new Russian attacks
- Date: 24th August 2022
- Summary: KYIV, UKRAINE (AUGUST 24, 2022) (REUTERS) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON WALKING THROUGH KYIV WITH ZELENSKIY JOHNSON AND ZELENSKIY ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE JOHNSON STANDING BEHIND THE PODIUM VARIOUS OF ZELENSKIY PRESENTING UKRAINE'S ORDER OF LIBERTY MEDAL TO JOHNSON (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, BORIS JOHNSON, SAYING: " That we in Britain have the strength and the patience to get through these economic difficulties that have been so recklessly driven and exacerbated by the folly and malevolence of one man, Vladimir Putin."
- Embargoed: 7th September 2022 17:12
- Keywords: Ukraine Zelenskiy ceremony independence six months tribute
- Location: KYIV, UKRAINE
- City: KYIV, UKRAINE
- Country: Ukraine
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Europe
- Reuters ID: LVA006032924082022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:President Volodymyr Zelenskiy paid tribute to fallen Ukrainians on Wednesday (August 24) as the country marked its Independence Day.
In normal years a day of celebrations hailing the end of Soviet rule in 1991, this Independence Day took place six months to the day after Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his troops over the border.
Zelenskiy was joined by First Lady Olena Zelenska for a ceremony at a memorial wall near Kyiv's Saint Michael Golden-Domed Monastery, remembering Ukrainians - both military and non-military service members - who died while fighting to protect their country since Russia invaded in February as well as in eight years of conflict with pro-Russian forces in Donbas.
The pair also attended a prayer for Ukraine to mark the country's 31 years of independence from the Moscow-controlled Soviet Union.
The joint prayer took place at Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv and was attended by religious leaders including Metropolitan Epifaniy Of Kyiv And Ukraine, Sergey Petrovich Dumenko, and Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Sviatoslav Shevchu.
Zelenskiy also awarded Ukrainian servicemen and family members of those killed in combat.
Zelenskiy gave out the 'Golden Star' medal to soldiers who had been recognised as 'Heroes of Ukraine,' one of the highest official awards official Ukraine decorates citizens with outstanding contributions to Ukraine.
For the servicemen who were killed in combat, their family members accepted the award.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson - one of Ukraine's most vocal backers - turned up in Kyiv in person to appear at Zelenskiy's side on Wednesday.
Johnson, who is due to leave office next month, spoke at a joint news conference with the Ukrainian leader on his fourth trip to the country this year.
Zelenskiy presented Johnson with Ukraine’s 'The Order of Liberty' award for his support of Ukraine’s freedom.
The Ukrainian winners of this year's Eurovision Song Contest launched on Wednesday a 24-hour fundraiser on behalf of soldiers who defended a besieged steel plant.
In a video posted on Instagram, Kalush Orchestra called on Ukrainians to donate 24 hryvnia (65 cents) each over 24 hours for those who fought on the frontlines at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol.
(Production: Felix Hoske, Thomas Holdstock, Sergiy Karaziy, Lucy Marks, Gabriela Boccaccio, Edward Baran) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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