Ukraine honors troops who fought in key battles against Russia
Ukrainian Marines held the defense of Mariupol and demonstrated legendary resilience while defending Zmiiniy Island (Photo: 35th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Ostrogradsky)
Ukraine marks Marine Corps Day on May 23, honoring service members serving in the Marine Corps of the Ukrainian Navy.
Ukraine had marked the holiday on Nov. 16 since 2014, under a decree signed by then-acting President Oleksandr Turchynov. The date was linked to the approval and first taking of the Marine’s oath in 1992.
The holiday was later moved to May 23 under a decree signed by Ukraine’s fifth president, Petro Poroshenko, in 2018. On that day 108 years ago, Hetman Pavlo Skoropadskyi issued a decree establishing the first Marine brigade within the naval forces of the Ukrainian People’s Republic in 1918.
The change was intended to honor the Ukrainian Revolution, the first experience of Ukrainian state-building in the 20th century, whose centenary Ukraine marked in 2018.
In the current war with Russia, which has continued since 2014, Ukrainian Marines have often fought in some of the hardest and most difficult sectors of the battlefield.
Ukrainian Navy Commander Oleksiy Neizhpapa recalled the Marines’ role in the defense of Ukraine when congratulating them on Marine Corps Day in May 2025.
Ukrainian Marines “withstood pressure in Crimea, heroically defended Mariupol, demonstrated legendary resilience while defending Snake Island, and became an insurmountable obstacle for the enemy in battles for Kherson Oblast and Donetsk Oblast,” Neizhpapa said.
“Since the days of Cossack chaikas, they have been the first to land in battle and have become the strong fist of the fleet and a reliable support force on land. As they did a century ago, the Marine Corps continues the fight against the Russian occupiers,” Neizhpapa said, emphasizing the special role of these service members in Ukraine’s defense.
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