Aug 24, 2026 5 min read

Ukraine celebrates 35 years of independence

August 24: 35 years since Ukraine restored its Independence.

We say "restored" because our statehood runs back a thousand years – the name "Ukraine" itself dates to 1187. 1991 wasn't a beginning, but the continuation of a centuries-long fight for freedom.

That fight didn't end in 1991. Since 2014, and especially since 2022, Ukrainians have had to defend that independence all over again and we keep proving we can.

Despite it all, and sometimes because of it, these 35 years gave us real wins to be proud of, in space, sports, culture, tech, and business. Here are a few of them.

1991. Independence is declared

On August 24, 1991, Ukraine's blue-and-yellow flag was raised over the Verkhovna Rada for the first time as parliament proclaimed the country's independence. It was the moment three centuries of striving for statehood finally became reality.

1994. Oksana Baiul wins Olympic gold

Oksana Baiul became the first Olympic champion representing independent Ukraine. Since then, generations of Ukrainian athletes have continued to make their mark on the world stage.

1995. Ukraine launches its own satellite

With the launch of Sich-1, Ukraine became one of the few countries in the world capable of designing, building, and launching its own satellite. It was a powerful signal that a young independent nation could hold its own in the space race.

1999. Sea Launch reaches space

Ukraine played a key role in the world's first-ever sea-based orbital rocket launch, using the Ukrainian-built Zenit-3SL rocket. Lifting off from a floating platform in the Pacific Ocean, it was one of the most ambitious international commercial space projects of its time and proof that Ukrainian rocket engineering could achieve what no one else had done before.

2002. Mriya takes its first commercial flight

The Antonov An-225 Mriya is the largest aircraft ever built – began commercial operations, carrying cargo no other plane in the world could handle. In 2022, russia destroyed the Mriya on the ground in Hostomel. But "Mriya" means "dream" in Ukrainian, and we believe that one day she will fly again over free Ukrainian skies.

2004. Ukraine wins Eurovision for the first time

Ruslana's "Wild Dances" brought Ukraine its first Eurovision victory and it wouldn't be the last. With three wins overall, Ukraine became the most successful country of the 21st century at the contest, known for consistently ranking among the top performers year after year.

2007. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. becomes a global gaming phenomenon

Created by Ukrainian studio GSC Game World, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl turned the real Chernobyl Exclusion Zone into a haunting, atmospheric game world that captivated players worldwide. It became one of Ukraine's most influential cultural exports, building a franchise and a fanbase that's still going strong today.

2010. Xpand is founded

Hey, that's us! Since 2010, we've been building software solutions and growing alongside independent Ukraine's tech industry. It's a small addition to this list next to satellites and Olympic gold but we're genuinely proud of what we've built, and of being part of Ukraine's story.

2012. Ukraine co-hosts UEFA Euro 2012

That summer, Ukraine and Poland welcomed the world for UEFA Euro 2012, with matches played in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Lviv. It was a moment when the whole world watched Ukrainian cities not for conflict, but for football, hospitality, and celebration.

2013. Petrykivka painting recognized by UNESCO

Ukraine's vibrant, centuries-old Petrykivka decorative folk painting tradition was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage putting a distinctly Ukrainian art form on the world stage.

2013–2014. The Revolution of Dignity

When the government turned its back on Ukraine's European future, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians took to the streets and stayed there through the winter cold. Over a hundred people gave their lives on the Maidan for the right to choose their own path. Their sacrifice reshaped the country and cemented what independence actually means to Ukrainians: something worth standing for.

2016. Ukrainian chess players conquer the world

Anna Muzychuk and Vasyl Ivanchuk both became World Rapid Chess Champions in the same year – one of many moments that cemented Ukraine's reputation as a powerhouse of world-class chess talent.

2022. Center for Civil Liberties wins the Nobel Peace Prize

Ukraine's first-ever Nobel Prize went to human rights organization Center for Civil Liberties, honored for its work documenting war crimes and defending human rights amid russia's full-scale invasion. A powerful recognition that even in the darkest days, Ukrainian civil society kept fighting for truth and justice.

2024. "20 Days in Mariupol" wins Ukraine's first Oscar

Mstyslav Chernov's harrowing documentary about the siege of Mariupol won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature – Ukraine's first Oscar ever. In his acceptance speech, Chernov said he wished he could trade the award for russia never having attacked Ukraine at all.

2025. Ukraine becomes the world's leading drone manufacturer

From a handful of manufacturers before the war to hundreds today, Ukraine now produces more drones per year than every NATO country combined — turning a wartime necessity into world leadership in unmanned systems.

Every medal, every award, every company we’ve built – none of it was ours by right. It was earned, and today it is defended every day by the people who make all of this possible.

We are grateful to our soldiers on the front lines, our medical personnel, rescue workers, volunteers, and partners – everyone who is working to ensure that an independent Ukraine continues to have a future and reasons to be proud.

Our greatest battle for independence is still underway. Glory to Ukraine!

Also read

February 23, 2026

Living, working, staying strong: our four years of full-scale war

On February 24, 2022, at 5 AM, many of us woke up to sounds we had never heard before – or to messages we desperately didn't want to believe. That morning drew a line between everything that came before and everything that followed. Not just for the country, but for each of us personally. The first hours were filled with fear and confusion. Then came decisions. Where to go, how to help, what to do next. And somewhere in the middle of that chaos, one thing became clear: stopping was not an option. Not because we had to keep going, but because continuing to live, to work, to build - that itself was the answer to everything happening around us. Four years have passed. Four years that have held more within them than an entire decade sometimes does. And yet – today marks four years of full-scale invasion, but Ukraine has been at war with russian aggression for twelve. Twelve years. Nearly twice as long as World War II lasted. Some wars are measured in history books. This one is still being measured in losses, in courage, and in the stubborn will to keep going. This is not a report, and it's not a timeline of events. It's a story about people - about how our company and every Ukrainian have lived through these four years, through loss and joy, through anxiety and hope.

July 19, 2023

The strength of Xpand: what advantages and benefits have emerged during the crisis

We interviewed the HR manager Oksana Kovenya of our company about the challenges that Xpand and its employees faced during the full-scale invasion. How did the experience of overcoming the COVID-19 crisis help the company/employees adapt to the full-scale invasion? Undoubtedly, a full-scale war in your country and a pandemic are incomparable events. However, certain aspects and lessons we learned from the pandemic have helped us adapt to the realities of war. First and foremost, when the pandemic hit, we swiftly transitioned to a fully remote mode of operation, while also maintaining our physical offices. Like many other companies, we underwent significant technological transformations and restructured our business processes accordingly. As a result, when the full-scale invasion began, we could continue working almost without interruption. Our top priority was the safety of our people, and we did everything we could to assist in relocation to safe or relatively safe areas without disrupting our workflow. The COVID-19 crisis forced all companies to reassess their crisis management methods and procedures. Several months before the full-scale invasion, we established a crisis response team, preparing in advance and considering various future scenarios to make informed decisions. We updated our Business Continuity Plan and revised our processes and protocols to handle unforeseen and challenging situations. We maintained clear communication with employees about the company's actions for different scenarios, providing them with informational support and security measures. Our IT team ensured uninterrupted operations by adapting all IT processes to enhance information security and business continuity. While nothing can fully prepare you for all the challenges of war, these preparations and adaptations served as our navigational anchor when the time came. Furthermore, we all learned to be more flexible and adaptive. The change management skills we honed during the pandemic helped us accept and adjust to the rapid and daunting changes that war brought. This flexibility applies to the company's strategies and plans and our team members' ability to adapt to changing tasks and projects while maintaining the highest quality of work. All of this was possible due to the strengthening of our corporate culture, promoting open communication, effective teamwork, and support for every member of our Xpand family. What are the main priorities and responsibilities of the HR department today? First and foremost, it's the safety of our employees. This includes the HR team's involvement in developing and implementing emergency response plans, coordinating and formulating action plans with management during crises, and ensuring swift, timely communication with employees regarding the situation, and any necessary preventive measures. Secondly, crisis communication plays a crucial role. It involves participating in the coordination of evacuations and relocations, ensuring that employees are properly informed about all related matters. Thirdly, supporting and assisting our employees. Sometimes, it's significant to have conversations with individuals, listen, remove emotional barriers, offer support, guide them to relevant specialists if needed, provide counseling, and inspire. For this, we have one-on-one meetings in our company. Fourthly, productivity and efficiency. We are all working under abnormal and extremely challenging conditions. However, we are all working to build our business, fulfill our commitments to clients, support our families, boost the Ukrainian economy, and bring victory to Ukraine. Thus, ensuring high levels of productivity and efficiency is a priority. Fifthly, ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, and labor standards during the war, and providing social guarantees to employees. Last, but not least, providing professional support for the emotional well-being of our employees. This is why we launched the Mental Health Program. We care about the physical and mental health of our people. The Mental Health Program provides psychological support services to employees, offering consultations with psychologists and coaches seven days a week. We believe this aspect of our care is currently one of the most crucial, as it helps Xpandians cope with the horrors of war. What trends in employee performance has the company observed during a full-scale invasion spanning over a year and a half? Have there been any increases or decreases? On February 24, 2022, we, of course, suspended our operations. On the same day, we informed our partners about this decision and ensured that our support team remained in contact with clients for critical matters. Our initial concern was to prioritize the safety of our people. However, after the first and most critical wave of employee relocation, we resumed our work. During that time, the efficiency was not as high as during peacetime, but this decline was relatively brief. When considering the employees' effectiveness over the year, we can proudly state that we maintained the same productivity as before the war. Those who took leaves or time off due to the war were flexible in managing their work hours and delivered high-quality performance on all their project commitments. Several factors influenced this outcome: Firstly, work served as one of the essential pillars of support and stability amid the chaos of military actions, providing a respite from dreadful news. Secondly, every Ukrainian, and accordingly, every member of the Xpand team, understood that supporting the home front was crucial for bolstering the frontlines and preserving Ukraine's economy, which, in turn, meant fighting for its independence. Thirdly, our culture promotes expertise in each person's domain, individual responsibility for work and efficiency, as well as mutual support and assistance among colleagues. We have a reliable circle of friends and support, which is currently vital for every Ukrainian. What do you think are the current strengths of Ukrainians and Xpand’s employees? We are a nation that has gone through terrible events in its history and has always fought for its independence. No matter how much they tried to destroy us over the centuries, we are still independent, and free, and will continue to be so. Therefore, in my opinion, the strength of Ukrainians lies in their resilience. When I see every Ukrainian, every Xpandian, after heavy night shelling, after news of terrible tragedies, after blackouts and experiencing incredible stress, getting up in the morning and continuing to do their work, and doing it with dignity, I believe that we are invincible. The strength is in unity. Each of us will fight for our family, our land, our brothers and sisters, our colleagues, and our freedom until the very end. Everyone fights on their front, whether on the frontline, clearing rubble, providing medical aid, or continuously donating, it's all about unity. Similarly, every Xpandian knows that we are one team and will always support and help each other.

March 2, 2023

From Coders to Soldiers and how we Fight for Freedom

For many Ukrainians, russia's war against Ukraine has been ongoing since 2014, but one of the largest wounds and deepest scars for every Ukrainian was carved on February 24, 2022. On that morning the war invaded the home of every Ukrainian, sowed death, and ruined dreams... Young, talented Ukrainians, those who used to write codes, be actors or brew coffee in local cafes, joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine to protect their families and stand for freedom and independence. We are grateful to everyone who protects our children, sacrificing their dreams and makes it possible for us to do our job effectively here, in our homeland, in Ukraine. Our special thanks to our colleagues, friends and all their family members who are heroically defending the Ukrainian frontline. Your bravery and selflessness are impressive! Our hearts beat in unison with your hearts every day. The only difference is that yours are on the front line..and ours are here... in front of computers. We believe in Ukraine's victory over russia, light over darkness, and democracy over tyranny. Hence, for a long time we have been focusing on helping our friends and teammates. We have chosen several types of assistance, one of which is the provision of drones that practically perform the function of "eyes" for our intelligence forces and help them see enemy's actions day and night and under any weather conditions. Modern technologies help our defenders to respond promptly to aggressive attacks of the enemy and, most significantly, to save lives! We want to hasten the victory and, therefore, we have initiated a fundraising campaign for a powerful drone called "Leleka". Our partner, Steel Wings , is a non-profit charity organization that helps us implement this initiative. You can support us and thus save hundreds or even thousands of lives of our warriors, as well as boost the victory by making a donation. More details here . MANY thanks to all those who care! Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Heroes!

February 23, 2026

Living, working, staying strong: our four years of full-scale war

July 19, 2023

The strength of Xpand: what advantages and benefits have emerged during the crisis

March 2, 2023