This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
In May 2025, a new national symbol appeared in Ukraine — Flag of Hope. This black-and-white banner is dedicated to Ukrainian military personnel and civilians who are in captivity, as well as those who are considered missing. It was created as an act of honor, support, and a reminder of those who have not yet returned home.
How the initiative arose
The idea to introduce the Flag of Hope belongs to Serhiy Volynskyi, the commander of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, who himself was in Russian captivity after the defense of Mariupol. In August 2024, he published a petition to the President of Ukraine requesting the creation of an official symbol of remembrance for the captives.
The petition quickly gained widespread support: the necessary 25,000 votes were collected in less than four days. This was evidence that the issue is extremely important and painful for Ukrainian society.
The symbolism of the flag
The flag consists of two horizontal stripes: white on top and black on the bottom.
- The white stripe symbolizes hope, freedom, and faith in return.
- The black stripe embodies pain, captivity, loss, and uncertainty.
This contrast conveys a state of waiting: between light and darkness, between life and uncertainty. According to the design, the flag is to be hoisted lower than the national flag and is to remain on the flagpole until all Ukrainian captives are freed.
Geography of implementation
The first official “Flag of Hope” was raised on May 8, 2025, in Zaporizhzhia, near the veteran hub “Veteran PRO.” The ceremony was attended by relatives of the prisoners of war and the missing, as well as volunteers and representatives of veteran organizations. Participants held portraits of their loved ones, demanded their release, and drew public attention to the issue of captivity.
Soon, similar actions began to take place in other cities. In particular, in the village of Plozhne in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, local residents sewed a flag themselves after the petition appeared. The sisters of a missing soldier handed it to their mother, who prayed with it in church every Sunday. There, the flag became a permanent symbol in the local square.
Public significance
Flag of Hope is not only a visible sign of honor but also a form of solidarity with those who still cannot speak for themselves. It is an initiative that unites the families of the captives, veteran communities, and concerned citizens.
Unlike state attributes, this flag arose from the bottom up — as a reaction of society to prolonged and often silenced pain. Its presence in public space serves as a constant reminder that the war continues not only on the front but also in the shadows — where people wait and remain silent.
Flag of Hope is a simple yet profound symbol. It does not replace actions but amplifies the voices of those who wait. Until the last Ukrainian is freed from captivity — this flag will fly on Ukrainian soil. And it will remind us that memory, solidarity, and hope are also forms of resistance.
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