The article by Mr. Ruslan Nimchynskyi, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Cyprus
On June 28, 2025, Ukraine celebrates the 29th anniversary of its Constitution, a cornerstone of its sovereignty and democratic identity since its adoption on June 28, 1996. This milestone arrives amid Russia’s relentless aggression, which began with the 2014 annexation of Crimea and escalated with the 2022 full-scale invasion.
The adoption of Ukraine’s Constitution in 1996 was a defining moment in its post-Soviet journey. Passed by the Verkhovna Rada with 315 votes after an all-night session, the Constitution replaced the 1978 Soviet-era framework, establishing Ukraine as a sovereign, unitary state. Article 2 declares: “Ukraine’s sovereignty extends to its entire territory. The territory of Ukraine within the existing border is integral and inviolable.” The document enshrines democratic principles, including the separation of powers, freedom of expression, and human rights protection, while recognizing Ukrainian as the state language and safeguarding minority rights. These values, crafted following independence in 1991, have become a rallying point for Ukrainians defending their nation against Russia’s attempts to dismantle its statehood and navigating the complexities of EU integration.
Russia’s aggression, starting with Crimea’s temporary occupation and the Russian invasion in Donbas in 2014, has directly challenged Ukraine’s constitutional principles. The full-scale invasion in February 2022 escalated this assault, with Russian forces started targeting civilian infrastructure to break the Ukrainian spirit. In 2025, these attacks have intensified, with devastating strikes on civilian targets. The last week has brought more deaths and sufferings.
• June 17, 2025, Kyiv Attack: Overnight missile and drone strikes killed at least 28 civilians and injured over 100, targeting a nine-story apartment building in the Solomyanskyi district, destroying over 40 apartments, and damaging schools and critical infrastructure.
• June 24, 2025, Kyiv Attack: A barrage of drones and missiles killed 14 and injured over 100, striking residential areas, hospitals, and a metro station used as a bomb shelter.
• June 24, 2025, Dnipro Attack: Ballistic missiles hit civilian infrastructure and a passenger train, killing 21 and injuring over 70.
• June 6, 2025, Ternopil Attack: Strikes on industrial facilities caused power outages, disrupting civilian life.
• June 7, 2025, Kharkiv Attack: A barrage of 48 drones, five bombs, four MLRS, and three missiles targeted homes, killing seven and injuring 41.
• June 27, 2025, Kherson Attack: Air strikes killed one civilian and wounded two.
These attacks, part of a systematic campaign since 2022, target civilian areas far from battlefields, with no military justification found in many cases, according to Amnesty International and UN investigations.
The international community has condemned Russia’s attacks on civilian infrastructure as violations of international humanitarian law. The United Nations, European Union, and NATO have called for Russia’s withdrawal. The International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court are investigating Russian war crimes, with efforts underway to establish a special tribunal for Russia’s crime of aggression. Ukraine’s constitutional commitment to international law (Article 9) aligns with these efforts, reinforcing its role as a defender of the rules-based international order and supporting its EU aspirations.
The Constitution has provided a legal and symbolic anchor for Ukraine’s resistance. Under martial law, permitted by Article 92 since 2022, elections have been suspended to ensure governance continuity, countering Russian disinformation questioning the legitimacy of Ukraine’s leadership. The Constitutional Court remains the sole interpreter of the Constitution, ensuring wartime measures align with democratic principles.
Ukraine’s pursuit of EU membership, accelerated by its candidate status granted in June 2022, is a cornerstone of its foreign policy and aligns with Article 9 of the Constitution, which supports international cooperation and adherence to international law. However, EU integration presents significant political, economic, legal, and social challenges, particularly amid the ongoing war.
Despite these challenges, EU integration is a unifying goal for Ukrainians, symbolizing a break from Russian influence and a commitment to democratic values. The Constitution’s framework supports this ambition, providing a legal basis for reforms and international alignment, while the war underscores the urgency of European solidarity.
Constitution Day 2025, celebrated amid air raids, is a powerful act of defiance. The Constitution’s preamble, invoking Ukraine’s “centuries-old history of state-building,” resonates as citizens rally to protect their homeland.
The 29th anniversary of Ukraine’s Constitution is a testament to the nation’s unbreakable spirit amid Russian aggression and the challenges of EU integration. From the rubble of bombed apartment blocks in Kyiv to the blackouts caused by destroyed power plants in Ternopil, Ukrainians continue to uphold the Constitution’s promise of a sovereign, democratic state. The path to EU membership, fraught with political, economic, legal, and social hurdles, reflects Ukraine’s determination to align with European values, as enshrined in its Constitution.
This year’s Constitution Day is more than a celebration; it is a declaration of resilience. Ukrainians continue to defend the values outlined in their founding document—sovereignty, democracy, and human rights—even as their cities come under fire.