In Lviv on 23 August, to mark Ukraine’s State Flag Day, a ceremonial raising of the blue and yellow flag took place near the Land Forces Academy. The event was dedicated to the annual national holiday, which is celebrated on this day across the country.
The honour of raising the State Flag of Ukraine this year was given to cadets of the Heroes of Kruty Lyceum. Taking part in the ceremony were Kateryna Synytska and the chief sergeant of the 1st training company, Makarii Baskakov. As the flag was raised, the service personnel saluted.
Kateryna Synytska is the daughter of Colonel of the National Guard of Ukraine Oleksandr Boiko (callsign «Sanych») — an intelligence officer, special forces operative and deputy commander of the special purpose detachment ‘Vega-Zakhid’, now the 4th separate detachment of the special unit ‘Omega’. Oleksandr Boiko was killed on 3 June 2017 while carrying out a combat mission in Luhansk region. For his personal courage and selfless actions in defending the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, he was posthumously awarded the Order ‘For Courage’, 3rd Class. After completing her studies at the Heroes of Kruty Lyceum, Kateryna plans to continue serving in Ukraine’s security and defence sector.
Makarii Baskakov is the son of serviceman Volodymyr Baskakov, who is currently defending Ukraine in the Zaporizhzhia sector as part of the 80th Separate Air Assault Galician Brigade. After graduating from the lyceum, Makarii intends to enter the Military Academy in Odesa, at the faculty for training air assault troops and marines, so that in future he can serve in the Air Assault Forces and continue his father’s work.
Ukraine’s State Flag Day is marked every year on 23 August. The blue and yellow flag is one of the three state symbols of Ukraine, alongside the Coat of Arms and the Anthem.