Poroshenko explains when Defender of Motherland Day is celebrated

The president said this at a meeting with commanders of military subdivisions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

“I have taken a decision that the Ukrainian people and the Armed Forces will mark its holiday on the big Christian Cossack holiday – the Day of the Protecting Veil of the Mother of God… It was a total absurd to mark the February 23 [holiday]. Ukraine celebrated holiday of own defenders on the festive day of the country- aggressor… And it’s not clear what was marked then on February 23, and what exactly took place in 1918 in Narva and how this related to Ukraine and its Armed Forces,” Poroshenko said.

According to the president this holiday must be celebrated on October 14, on the Day of Protecting Veil of the Mother of God.

iy