Zelensky initiates reformed Independence Day celebrations
News Line
Ukraine reports 5,276 new COVID-19 cases Zelensky: Every third Ukrainian considers road construction one of greatest achievements of 2021 Ukraine ready to implement Minsk agreements, but Russia's desire needed - Yermak Michel: EU unanimously agree to roll over economic sanctions against Russia Actions by Ukraine's partners will help prevent worst-case scenario - Zelensky COVID-19 in Ukraine: Health officials confirm 8,899 daily cases as of Dec 17 Macron tells Zelensky he declared support for Ukraine in call with Putin Zelensky, Scholz discuss gas transit through Ukraine after 2024 Ukraine ready for any format of talks with Russia - Zelensky Ukraine’s only journalist in Russia facing extremism charges - lawyer PM Shmyhal: First two applications for investment projects worth $96 million filed Zelensky, PM of Italy discuss security situation around Ukraine President signs off State Budget 2022 London considering all options for responding to Russia's aggression against Ukraine Putin, Biden to hold another round of talks Some 260,000 Ukrainians “victims of human trafficking” over 30 years - prosecutor general Ukraine plans to create center to protect energy infrastructure from cyber attacks No clear idea so far when Normandy Four top diplomats set to meet - German Ambassador Ukraine receives EUR 600M in macro-financial assistance from EU Zelensky holds phone conversation with PM of Israel Ukraine sets new daily COVID vaccination record MFA: European Union has not yet removed Ukraine from list of safe countries Kyiv records 1,023 new COVID-19 cases, 29 deaths G7 ambassadors welcome adoption of law on NABU status Ukraine can increase Covid vaccination rates to 1.5M a week – Liashko

President Volodymyr Zelensky's team has decided to allocate UAH 300 million as bonuses to Ukrainian military on the occasion of Independence Day, and the celebration will take place in a new format.
"I want to share our new idea with you. A military parade is usually held in our country on August 24 – Ukraine's Independence Day. It is so pompous and certainly not cheap. It seems to me that this year, instead of a parade, it is better to allocate this money to our heroes, our military. We have decided to allocate 300 million hryvnias in bonuses to all of our servicemen. These are fixed-term soldiers, cadets, sergeants, officers, all. [...] And, of course, the military carrying out tasks in the area of the Joint Forces Operation," Zelensky said in a video posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday.

At the same time, he added that the heroes would be greeted and Ukraine's Independence Day would be celebrated.

"But there will be a new format," Zelensky said.