Ukraine began its “day of unity” on Wednesday with the national hymn playing over loudspeakers and flags raised in the capital Kiev, MIA informs.
State employees are obliged to sing the anthem and classes have been suspended in schools across the country. Television stations are set to broadcast special programs in the morning and afternoon.
President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke by video of an important day for the country, saying Ukrainians may differ in language and geography but are “united by the desire to live in peace, to live happily.”
People have the right to do that, he added. “Only together can we protect our homeland.” Wednesday was picked to be a day of patriotism after US media outlets, citing intelligence sources, reported that Russia was looking at February 16 to launch an invasion.
