Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy hands a flag to a soldier in Hagia Sophia Square on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Kiev, February 24, 2023. HANDOUT / AFP
At the solemn commemorations of a year in Kiev, there is never a question of fragility or doubt in the face of a Russian threat that remains staggering despite Moscow’s backlash. At such moments, Ukraine is all about resistance, pride and determination. And the inevitable impending victory.
This Friday, February 24, the day of the first anniversary of the invasion of the country by the Russian army, did not escape a rule of conduct. The Ukrainian Presidency decided to celebrate what it called “the year of invincibility”.
For example, the Ukraine Post, which is often at the forefront of this spirit of resistance, has decided to issue a new stamp depicting a fresco by British artist Banksy on a ruined wall in the city of Borodianka. The work shows a (Ukrainian) child performing a judo hold and knocking down a (Russian) man whom we can easily imagine as Russian President Vladimir Putin, who himself has a black belt in judo and often practices this martial art on stage practiced. The stamp bears the initials “PTN PNK” for “Putin, fuck you” in Ukrainian. See the adaptation of the now-famous phrase on the first day of the war, in which the defenders of Snake Island refused to surrender and, under the threat of cannons, replied: “Russian warship, fuck you!” before being bombed and captured.
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Head of State Volodymyr Zelenskyy opened this commemoration day, on which Ukrainians went both to the cemetery to commemorate their dead and to cultural events of the war year, with a video message to his fellow citizens. He promised that after “the year of invincibility” in which Ukraine valiantly resisted Russian attacks, the second year of the war would be that of “inevitable victory”.
Mr. Zelensky spoke at length about February 24, 2022, “the longest day of our lives, the hardest in our modern history.” “We woke up early and haven’t slept since. We did not raise the white flag and defended our blue and yellow flag. We were not broken, we did not surrender,” he said, also echoing the symbolic image of the Isle of Snakes soldiers, a theme of national worship.
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After listing the main political and military milestones of “a year of resilience, caring, courage, pain, hope, unity” in which “Ukraine surprised, inspired and united the world,” the president promised “the victory” for “this year” 2023.
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