Victory Day is a holiday that commemorates the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany in 1945. It was first inaugurated in the 15 republics of the Soviet Union following the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender late in the evening on 8 May 1945. The Soviet government announced the victory early on 9 May after the signing ceremony in Berlin. Although the official inauguration occurred in 1945, the holiday became a non-labor day only in 1965.
Several nations observe or have observed a Navy Day to recognize their navy.
Defender of the Fatherland Day is a holiday observed in Russia, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. It is celebrated on 23 February, except in Kazakhstan, where it is celebrated on 7 May. Ukraine abolished the holiday starting 1992 and, after the Revolution of Dignity, has instated the somewhat similar Defender of Ukraine Day on 1 October.
The following are 11 public holidays in Ukraine.
Air Force Day or Day of the Air Force is observed by several nations with an armed forces as a military holiday to recognize their country's air force. These holidays often hold the same status as any military's Armed Forces Day.
Serhiy Anatoliyovych Hayduk is a Ukrainian Vice Admiral and a former commander of the Ukrainian Navy.
Victory Day over Nazism in World War II was a national holiday and a non-working day in Ukraine from 2015 to 2023.
Defenders Day is a public holiday in Ukraine celebrated annually on 1 October. The holiday honors veterans and fallen members of the Ukrainian armed forces. Its first celebration was in 2015.
Donbas was a Project 304 former Soviet repair ship that was converted to a command ship of the Ukrainian Navy's 9th Division. She was built on Szczecin Shipyard in Poland in 1969 for the Soviet Navy and entitled PM-9. "PM" is a Russian abbreviation for a repair ship, and literally means a floating repair shop. Donbas was destroyed during the Siege of Mariupol as a part of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russian Air Force Day is a professional military holiday of Russia celebrated on 12 August to honor the active and reserve personnel, as well as veterans of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
The Day of Sea and River Fleet Workers or the Sea and River Fleet Worker's Day – a professional holiday of sea and river fleet workers in the USSR, which was celebrated annually on the first Sunday of each July since 1981.
The Kyiv Independence Day Parade has been the main event of various celebrations of the Independence Day of Ukraine, which is celebrated annually in Kyiv on August 24.
Day of the Russian Navy is national holiday in the Russian Federation and a senior holiday in the Russian Armed Forces. The day honors the sailors in units of the Russian Navy and its specialized arms. It is celebrated annually, on the last Sunday of July.
Victory Day parades are common military parades that are held on 9 May in some post-Soviet nations, primarily Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and formerly Ukraine. They are usually held to honor the traditional Victory Day holiday. In 2015, the Ukrainian government renamed the holiday as "Victory Day over Nazism in World War II" as part of decommunization laws and in 2023 moved the holiday to 8 May.
The Liberation Day of Ukraine, officially the Day of Liberation of Ukraine from Fascist Invaders, is a holiday celebrated annually on October 28 in Ukraine. It commemorates the Liberation of Ukraine from Nazi Germany on 28 October 1944.
Border Guards Day, also known as Frontier Guards Day is a former Soviet holiday that celebrates the border guard services of Russia and former Soviet republics. It is currently observed in Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan on 28 May - the anniversary of the formation of the Soviet Border Troops in 1918.
Police and Internal Affairs Servicemen's Day, commonly known outside Russia as the Day of the Police is a public holiday celebrated in Russia and most post-Soviet republics which honors all those serving in their national police. Russia, the most notable country to celebrate the holiday, was a pioneer in this celebration, using the occasion to honor the Police of Russia.
Airborne Forces Day also known as Paratroopers' Day is a professional military holiday observed in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, celebrated on 2 August annually. It was formerly celebrated in the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991. It was celebrated in Ukraine as Airmobile Forces Day from 1999 until 2017. It is the official holiday of the former Soviet Airborne forces.
Day of Tankmen is a professional military holiday in Russia and the former Soviet Union, celebrated every second Sunday of September. It celebrates the service and sacrifices of tank crews and commanders in armored formations since the Russian Civil War, when tanks were first used in Russian territory.
The Day of Resistance to Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol is an annual designated day in Ukraine, commemorating a 2014 demonstration by thousands of Crimean Tatars outside the parliament of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. It took place on the day before Russian Federation soldiers took armed control of the parliament in preparation for the annexation of Crimea.
