This was a large military parade held on Maidan Nezalezhnosti with the participation of the Kyiv Garrison of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as well as the Internal Troops of Ukraine. It was held in the same format as the annual Kyiv Independence Day Parade, including the traditional flag raising ceremony to the tune of Shche ne vmerla Ukraina. Inspecting the parade was the Defense MinisterGeneral of the ArmyOleksandr Kuzmuk and General of the Army Ivan Herasymov, a war veteran. It was commanded by the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, Lieutenant General Nikolai Petruk [uk]. The historical marchpast saw the Ukrainian-made T-34 tank roll on the street, with columns of troops dressed the stylized uniforms of Red Army infantrymen, tankmen, artillerymen, pilots, and sailors passing along Khreshchatyk. The standards of the four Ukrainian as well as the 1st Byelorussian Fronts also were carried along the central street of Kyiv.[7] Veterans of the Soviet offensive (many of which were Heroes of the Soviet Union, Hero of Socialist Labor, and recipients of the Order of Glory) rolled through the square in an open-top UAZs, after which they were seated on chairs under the rostrum, where other high-ranking guests stood. A combined band led by Yuri Kirichenko from Sumy consisting of 30 Ukrainian military bands with a total of 1,000 people stood in front of the main rostrum. Being that a total of 5,000 people participated in the parade, this meant that every fifth participant was a musician. After the parade had passed along Khreshchatyk, a concert lasting 40 minutes took place, with the combined band performing military melodies such as Katyusha, Siny Platochek, and The Sacred War.[8]
The Medal "60 years of the Liberation of Ukraine from the Fascist Invaders" [uk] was awarded throughout the year 2004. The medal was designed by Viktor Buzalo, Deputy Head of the State Awards and Heraldry Administration of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine.[11] The distinction was established by Presidential Decree on September 17, 2004.[12] The President of Ukraine awarded it to participants of hostilities during the Great Patriotic War. The anniversary medal was also and awarded on behalf of the President of Ukraine by the central executive bodies and the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine also gave the anniversary medal to citizens of other countries.
Commemorative coin
A commemorative 5 hryvnia coin was issued by the National Bank of Ukraine. The coin was put into circulation on October 27, 2003.[13] The front of the coin depicts the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier while the obverse depicts the Dnieper.
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