Living Chain of Unity forms across Prague’s Charles Bridge for Ukraine Unity Day

In the historic center of Prague, Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine united in a living "Chain of Unity" across Charles Bridge on the occasion of the Day of Unity of Ukraine.

The Embassy of Ukraine in the Czech Republic reported this on Facebook.

"In the conditions of Ukraine's confrontation with Russian aggression, unity acquires greater symbolism and sharpness because now, more than ever, Ukrainians need to unite for the sake of the future," the diplomatic mission emphasized.

Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych addressed those present and noted that today, as over 100 years ago, the Ukrainian state is being torn apart by the enemy – the Russian Federation.

"They want to destroy our unity again. That is why we must stick together like never before. This is a huge signal to Putin, regardless of where we live now. In Ukraine or abroad, we still remain one united, strong people. Putin dreams of destroying us; he launched this large-scale aggression against Ukraine with the sole purpose of proving to everyone that the Ukrainian people do not exist. But look at how the Ukrainian people are uniting in every country. We are one. And in this unity is our strength. And in this unity will be our victory," he said.

The embassy extended its thanks to everyone who participated in the event, especially to the involvement of the Ambassador of Argentina to the Czech Republic, Mr. Claudio Javier Rozencwaig, and Czech friends.

The "Chain of Unity" event has a long-standing tradition. On January 21, 1990, marking the 71st anniversary of the unification of the Ukrainian People's Republic (UNR) and the West Ukrainian People's Republic (ZUNR), Ukrainian patriots formed a living chain from Ivano-Frankivsk to Kyiv. While the exact number of participants remains uncertain, estimates range from 500,000 to three million people who joined hands to create an unbroken line from Kyiv through Lviv to Ivano-Frankivsk. This act foreshadowed the eventual fall of the USSR and the rise of Ukraine as an independent nation.

Every year on January 22, Ukraine celebrates Unity Day.

On January 22, 1919, a historic meeting occurred at Sofia Square, where the Ukrainian People's Republic (UNR) and the West Ukrainian People's Republic (ZUNR) united.

This union was formalized by the Universal of the Ukrainian People's Republic on Unification.

The holiday honors the Unity that Ukraine sought over 100 years ago and is fighting for now. Unity is inseparable from statehood, sovereignty, and independence.