Crowded streets of the capital, thousands of soldiers, equipment that’s impressive not only by its appearance, enthusiastic and at the same time surprised glances from everywhere. The parade in honour of the Independence Day, that was constantly discussed over the past week, really impressed with its power and moderation, as well as with its importance and relevance. It has become a unique marker, a starting point, and report to each of us: yes, we can.
The March of the new army is something that is unlikely to be ashamed of by anyone who was watching everything with his own eyes or online. The Ukrainian army, which very existence could be objectively doubted five years ago, today declared in front of the whole country and the entire world: I exist.
It will be no secret to anyone that the parade on the occasion of the main holiday is a tradition. Another thing is that traditions have a way to get older, become archaisms of today, and gradually move away to the past. Who knows, perhaps, it should have happened that way. In this case, if today in the capital of Ukraine, as, for example, in 2013, the forgotten by God and people old Soviet equipment, decorated with the symbols of that times marched. If you were following the march of the new army today, then you probably understand what’s going on. Back in time, but not today, it was possible to talk about the parade as an excessive show of Soviet times. Back in time, but not today, a broken equipment would become the protagonist of new internet memes and a tidbit for the propaganda channels of a neighbouring country. Back in time.
Today, in the centre of Kyiv, 4,500 soldiers from different types of troops, about 250 units of equipment, for which we do not have to be ashamed, and Ukrainian partners were gathered. Back then in times of a sleepy independence, was the cobbled Khreshchatyk able to meet warriors from US, UK, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Canada, Romania and other NATO countries? Could we imagine, back then, that among the “boxes” of soldiers there will finally appear the women’s one? Were we expecting the appearance of our, Ukrainian, aviation? Back then – no. But this year the military parade was rather a report to the public made by the leadership of the country and the military. Here we are, we are evolving, and you’re in complete safety. Because we exist.
At the same time, the parade was another opportunity to thank those who risk their lives for our peaceful rest. Thanks to whom, it is all possible. Thanks to whom the protagonists of the march of the new army were precisely Ukrainian soldiers. 27 years is not the age when you want to boast of the smallest achievements. Those years have already passed. The military parade today is not a quest, not an imitation – it is reality and achievements. Because this is the way the country in which the war goes on celebrate its birthday. Because this parade is not necessary for someone specific, it wasn’t organized for separate groups of people. This parade is for everyone. I do not know if it was this way back then. But it is now.
And this year’s parade is another step. A complicated and painful, however, it is thought over, weighed and timely performed a step from the claws of those for whom the independence of the largest country in Europe worth nothing. This step is behind everything: in the expressions of the faces of the representatives of the Moscow Orthodox church, in the joyful smiles of the Kyiv citizens, in the shout “Glory to Ukraine”, to which thousands simultaneously correspond with “Glory to Heroes”. Was it possible back then? I don’t think so, in fact, it’s not so important. The most important thing is that our independence has finally awakened from a long sleep. Still a little bit sleepy, but decisive and full of strength.
The upgraded tanks, howitzer “Bogdana”, cars “Dozor-B”, “Kozak-2” and “Warta” are not just the military equipment that released for the record. It is also the result that has been achieved. Because “March of the New Army” is not only a song, it’s also five words that embody nowadays. Five words that will remain in the spotlight for a long time. But the main thing is that it exists. The new army is not back in time, it exists now.
Text by Dmytro Zhuravel
Photo by Ivan Pecheny
