Defenders Day (Ukraine)

Defenders Day
Defenders Day
	President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participating in the Day of Defenders awards ceremony in 2022
Official name	День захисників та захисниць України
Observed by	Ukraine
Significance	Celebrating the armed forces during Intercession of the Theotokos; ; 1 October is also the date of the founding of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army and the Day of Ukrainian Cossacks;
Celebrations	Concerts, expos, military parades, marches and festivals
Date	1 October
Next time	1 October 2026
Frequency	Annual
First time	2015

Defenders Day (Ukrainian: День захисників та захисниць України, romanized: Den zakhysnykiv ta zakhysnyts Ukrainy) 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.