On May 22, Druzhkivka, Donetsk Oblast, celebrates its annual unofficial holiday, the Day of Honor, for the eleventh year in a row.
It was initiated by a local resident, Anatoliy Vodolazkyi, who came out with a Ukrainian flag on May 22, 2014 at 15:30 to a single picket in the center of the city, which was temporarily occupied by Russian militants.
Anatoliy Vodolazkyi could not accept the fact that Russian flags and flags of the "DPR" were hanging in the city. Realizing all the risks to his life, he made his choice at the most difficult time for Ukraine - he went to the picket against the division of Ukraine. Within 10 minutes after he raised the flag of Ukraine, Russian mercenaries appeared and took him to a torture chamber in Kramatorsk. Fortunately, he managed to get out of the "prison" alive, but mutilated, a day later.
Since 2015, Anatoliy Vodolazkyi has been coming to the same place on the central square of the city with the flag of Ukraine on May 22 at 15:30. Every year, more and more active citizens from Druzhkivka and the surrounding towns join this action.
Now May 22 is called the Day of Honor in Druzhkivka.