On March 14, Ukraine commemorates its volunteers – individuals who, in times of crisis, willingly took up arms to defend their country without any conscription.

This date was chosen for a reason. On March 14, 2014, the first volunteers left Maidan for a training base in Novyi Petrivtsi to prepare for the fight for Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Today, our nation faces one of the greatest challenges in its modern history – armed conflict with the Russian aggressor for independence and territorial integrity. In these difficult times, brave warriors of goodwill rise to defend their homeland, embodying valor, self-sacrifice, and heroism.

In Odesa, a ceremony was held to lay flowers at the Memorial to the Fighters for Ukraine in the Glory and Freedom Square to mark Ukrainian Volunteer Day.

Throughout March, educational institutions and libraries will host cultural, artistic, and educational events related to this topic.

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The decision to celebrate Ukrainian Volunteer Day was made by Resolution No. 1822 of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on January 17, 2017, aimed at strengthening the patriotic spirit in society and raising public awareness and concern for participants of volunteer formations.