By James Sia

Ukrainian charge d'affaires Denys Mykhailiuk (left) joins the Ukrainian community to celebrate their Independence Day by observing the 'live' streaming of their national anthem, together with Ukrainians living worldwide, at the Crane KL Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.)

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the on-going war in their country, Ukrainians living abroad joined their kinsmen at home to celebrate their national day, albeit virtually.

In the federal capital, Ukrainian charge d'affaires Denys Mykhailiuk joined 50 of his citizens and their Malaysian friends at Crane KL Restaurant to observe the 'live' streaming of their national anthem, together with 6,000 Ukrainians living in over 55 countries worldwide.

Mykhailiuk said it was perhaps the largest simultaneous performance of the Ukrainian anthem to mark their Independence Day and was acknowledged by the Guinness Book of Records.

"The Independence Day of Ukraine this year has a deep meaning for Ukrainians as we are fighting for our freedom and independence against the unprovoked Russian invasion.

"This war has already lasted for six months and took the lives of many innocent souls," Mykhailiuk said.

(The Saloma bridge in Kampung Baru lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag to mark their Independence Day in Kuala Lumpur.)

To add some allure to their celebration here, Mykhailiuk arranged for one of the popular landmarks in Kuala Lumpur, the Saloma bridge in Kampung Baru, to be lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag - blue and yellow - for two days to honour the significant day on August 24.