The Ukrainian flag is something more for Ukrainians than just one of the symbols of their country. Ukrainian citizens are ready to risk their lives to save the blue-yellow cloth from war and enemy abuse. And this is evidenced by the life stories of the citizens themselves, which we tell about in this material

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The war brought devastation and immense grief to the homes of Ukrainians, but the thirst for independence showed that the Ukrainian people have not lost their spirit and, moreover, are ready to fight for a common goal - to preserve the statehood and independence of their country. 

Today, Ukrainian citizens are defending their country both at the front and in the rear. And some are trying to defend a part of their country even under occupation.

After the outbreak of the war in Donbas in 2014, the Ukrainian nation realised that its neighbour, russia, was pursuing exclusively imperialist and aggressive goals. The outbreak of those events forced Ukrainians to become more united and committed to the identity of their nation. And many citizens began to express their identity and patriotism with the help of the national flag, which was hung on houses in villages and cities.

With the outbreak of full-scale russian aggression in 2022, the Ukrainian flag took on an even deeper meaning - courage, resilience and indomitability. By keeping the blue and yellow colours in their homes, Ukrainians were willing to take a great risk - to be killed by the russian occupiers. So today we would like to tell the stories of people who preserved or saved the Ukrainian flag from the hands of the russian invasion. The Voices of the Peaceful Museum of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation brought these stories together.

Cut the flag into two parts and hid it from the russians

Oleksandr Chesta is a native of Mariupol who was jokingly called a ‘Banderite’ for his patriotic stance. He lived in Mariupol until the end of April 2022, when fierce fighting was already taking place in the city. 

Chest had a Ukrainian flag, which he constantly displayed at his home. According to him, he felt that the russian military would enter his house and cut the flag in half and then sewed the two parts into sofas.

‘Now, when I come back, I will take them out and hang them back up,’ the man said.

A flag that survived the occupation

Olena Kondratenko, a school principal, met the war in her home village of Kopyliv in Kyiv region. It is located near Bucha, which has become a symbol of Ukrainian suffering as a result of russian aggression.

russian troops occupied the village almost immediately and stayed there for two weeks. During this time, the Ukrainian flag flew on the school run by Olena. The Ukrainian symbols were there during the bombing and raids, but still survived.

To understand, the russian occupiers were punishing Ukrainians for the symbols of their country. However, despite this, no one removed the flag from the school and now it carries a whole story for their homeland.

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A piece of flag from the main flagpole of Melitopol

The Ukrainian city of Melitopol has been occupied by the russian army for over two years. Local resident Anna Serhiivna saw the war in her hometown when russian tanks were entering Melitopol.

One day, the enemy troops took down the city's main flag and burned it in a garbage bin. However, one piece of the flag survived and the woman took it home. Now it is in the occupied territory with her mother.

The house was bombed, but the flag survived

Ivanna Kovalenko, a resident of the village of Markhalivka (Kyiv region), said that the war began for her immediately with loud explosions. Neighbouring Vasylkiv was bombed, and a short time later the enemy dropped two bombs on her village.

Later, her house was destroyed by the bombing, but the most important things survived by a miracle - her documents and the flag of Ukraine, which now hangs above her new home.

A flag that survived life with the occupiers

For almost two years, Tetiana Rodymkina lived under occupation in her native village of Novoprokopivka, Zaporizhzhia region. One night, the occupiers broke into her house and stayed with her for eight months.

All this time, the woman kept a large Ukrainian flag in her home, which she eventually managed to take out of the occupied territory.

All these stories and many more happened in completely different places, but their fate is similar. Ukrainians are a courageous people who are not afraid of the enemy, but are afraid of only one thing - losing their independence and freedom.

We remind you! The war has changed Ukrainians and their attitude to the future. But in what way? Gradus Research's annual survey has revealed the mood of Ukrainians on the eve of Independence Day and in the midst of a full-scale invasion. Read here to find out what challenges and opportunities citizens see after the war, and why this is a positive trend.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Ihor Usyk is the Head of Legal Department at Visit Ukraine

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