On Ukraine’s Independence Day, several hundred people gathered in Cathedral Square, Vilnius, for the 150th rally in support of the country in war. During the demonstration, Social Democrat prime ministerial candidate Inga Ruginienė said her Cabinet would back Ukraine ‘until victory’.
Such rallies are typically held on Mondays, but this one took place on Sunday, August 24, to coincide with the anniversary of Ukraine's independence.
“We stand by the Cathedral bell tower. Every Monday we ring the bells – a reminder not to forget Ukraine. Thanks to Ukraine we do not hear bombs above our heads today, no one is bombing us. Thanks to Ukraine we can live in peace and independence. We will support Ukraine until victory,” organiser Arkadijus Vinokuras told BNS.
In 1990–91, Monday rallies were also held in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, where thousands of Swedes showed their support for the Baltic states’ struggle to free themselves from occupation.
Vinokuras, who had lived in Sweden, began organising pro-Ukraine protests three years ago, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
“Through cold, rain and heat we have held 150 rallies. The number of people attending in person is falling, but online viewership is growing. Last time, 7,800 people watched live, and over three and a half years 500,000 have followed us online, with 50,000 taking part in person,” he said.
Speakers at the rallies have included politicians, artists, activists, soldiers and ambassadors. At Sunday’s event, Conservative MP Emanuelis Zingeris, Ukraine’s ambassador to Lithuania Olha Nikitchenko and Social Democrat prime ministerial candidate Inga Ruginienė addressed the crowd.
“Ukraine is facing enormous challenges, three and a half years of war, killings, and lies. People are losing their children, children are losing their parents and homes, and this is unforgivable,” Ruginienė said.
“Both the 19th and the incoming 20th governments have expressed their support, and we have gone beyond words by taking concrete action to provide real help to Ukraine, and we will continue to do so. We will support Ukraine until victory – there is no question about that,” Ruginiene told BNS on Sunday.
“I call on everyone with influence in Lithuania, whatever their political views. It is important to show a united front. For Ukraine, it matters to know that Lithuania stands together with them,” Vinokuras said.
Participants carried Lithuanian and Ukrainian flags, with two large banners unfurled across the square. Some also brought historic white-red Belarusian flags.
“Today is our Independence Day, and it is important to gather together and show unity. We live in Lithuania as though it is our home, but in our hearts – we are with Ukraine,” said Natalia, a 43-year-old Ukrainian living in Vilnius.
Vladas, 56, told BNS he has not missed a single Monday rally. “Today is a celebration – Independence Day. I feel it is my right, duty and responsibility to take part,” he said.
In addition to the rally, the capital of Lithuania commemorated Ukraine's Independence Day by holding the Velomarathon, where cyclists were encouraged to join the Dronathon team and donate to the NGO Blue/Yellow in support of Ukraine.
On Sunday, Ukraine’s Independence Day was also marked across several other cities in Lithuania.
In Klaipėda, commemorations in Meridianas Square included camouflage net-weaving workshops and a concert, while in Kaunas, the Ninth Fort Museum staged a performance featuring the Ukrainian song and dance ensemble Malvos. In Alytus, locals gathered for a picnic to mark the occasion.
Ukraine also received over 70 vehicles for its armed forces this weekend, delivered as part of the Baltic Way Mission. The initiative, supported by civic groups from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, marked both the 36th anniversary of the Baltic Way (celebrated on August 23) and the 34th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. The vehicles are being distributed across different regions of Ukraine.
“This is about marking the Baltic Way,” said Valdas Bartkevičius, head of the International Friends of Ukraine Foundation and one of the organisers. “We must honour such events with action. My main point is that you must love your homeland through deeds – and by working, we can commemorate any date, supporting a country at war not with empty words, but with real action.”
According to Bartkevičius, participants of the convoy were set to attend an event in Lviv on Sunday, after which humanitarian supplies would be unloaded at a volunteer base there. Some members of the mission were due to return to Lithuania, while others would continue on to deliver vehicles to other regions of Ukraine.
Lithuania has committed to allocating 0.25 percent of its GDP to Ukraine's defense needs each year.
Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union on 24 August 1991, following the failed coup in Moscow. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Updated: included Ruginienė's comments, changed title.
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