Slava Ukraini

"Glory to Ukraine!" (Ukrainian: Слава Україні!, romanized: Slava Ukraini! [ˈslɑwɐ ʊkrɐˈjin⁽ʲ⁾i] ^ⓘ) is a Ukrainian national salute, known as a symbol of Ukrainian sovereignty and resistance to foreign aggression. It is the battle cry of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is often accompanied by the response "To the heroes – glory!" (Ukrainian: Героям слава!, romanized: Heroiam slava! [ɦeˈrɔjɐm ˈslɑwɐ]).

The phrase first appeared at the beginning of the 20th century in different variations, when it became popular among Ukrainians during the Ukrainian War of Independence from 1917 to 1921. The response "Glory to the heroes!" first appeared during the Ukrainian War of Independence or later in the 1920s among members of the League of Ukrainian Nationalists. In the 1930s, it became widespread as a slogan of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), as well as Ukrainian diaspora groups and refugee communities in the West during the Cold War. In the Soviet Union, the phrase was forbidden. The phrase eventually resurfaced in Ukraine during the country's struggle for independence in connection with the fall of the Soviet Union. Its use was revived again during the 2014 Ukrainian revolution and the Russo-Ukrainian War, during which it became a widely popular symbol in Ukraine.

The phrase has gained worldwide attention during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and has subsequently been used in protests in support of Ukraine around the world. It has been used in speeches by Ukrainian politicians like President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as numerous foreign leaders.

Ukrainian historians argue that the greeting has its roots in Taras Shevchenko’s works. In his 1840 poem To Osnovianenko Shevchenko used the phrase "Glory of Ukraine":

English translation:

Our thought, our song
Will not die, will not perish…
Oh there, people, is our glory,
Glory of Ukraine!

Original Ukrainian text:

Наша дума, наша пісня
Не вмре, не загине...
От де, люде, наша слава,
Слава України!