Zelensky initiates reformed Independence Day celebrations

"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, July 9.

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.