Defenders Day in Ukraine: 'Remember the cost' action takes over Kyiv city center

Participants of the action held posters with various messages, including: Stop! Get out of your car and honor. Let us be worthy of defenders. Remember the cost, I stand for… Memory is action.

The event was organized by the NGO Vshanui. A special part was the personalized moment of silence "I stand for…," which took place across Ukraine, including in Kyiv.

Residents of the capital stopped, got out of their cars, and honored the fallen heroes with a minute of silence.

The organizers emphasize that memory is not only about the past. It is about what our community will be like tomorrow.

Photo: Kyiv joined the nationwide action commemorating defenders of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)

"If we don't take care of it today, we will lose not only stories but also the foundation for the future. That's why we're learning to make remembrance lasting — through strategy, teamwork, and structure," the NGO "Vshanui" stated.

Defenders Day of Ukraine

Today, Ukraine celebrates three significant holidays: Defenders Day of Ukraine, the Feast of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God, and the Day of Ukrainian Cossacks.

It should be noted that Defenders Day of Ukraine is a state holiday dedicated to honoring the military who defend the independence and territorial integrity of the country.

Its date coincides with the Christian feast of the Intercession, which shifted from October 14 to October 1 after Ukrainian churches transitioned to the new Julian calendar.

Read more about Defenders Day of Ukraine and why the celebration date was changed.

In honor of Defenders Day, the publication also gathered stories of servicemen and women who embody the strength and courage of our people in the fight against the occupiers.

As a reminder, starting this week, Khreshchatyk in Kyiv will be closed to traffic every day. At 9:00 AM Kyiv time, the capital will stop for a nationwide minute of silence to honor the fallen defenders.