25 Ukrainian defenders join Bastille Day parade in Paris for the first time with troops from 35 countries
As noted, the traditional Bastille Day military parade took place in the French capital on July 14. One of its distinctive features this year was the participation of representatives of the Coalition of the Willing, who support Ukraine.
The Champs-Élysées hosted:
In France, this year's parade was described as a symbol of a new stage of European security amid modern challenges.
Leaders of many European states and international institutions attended the ceremony. Among the guests were:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi and First Lady Olena Zelenska during the Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, July 14, 2026. Photo source: AP / Thomas PadillaThe celebration program also included an air show. Mirage fighter jets flown by joint French-Ukrainian crews flew over Paris.
ICI reported that two Ukrainian-piloted Mirage 2000B fighter jets flew over Paris during the Bastille Day parade. The aircraft took part in the flyover as part of the French Air and Space Force's national aerobatic team.
Before that, the pilots had trained at BA116 Luxeuil Air Base in Haute-Saône.
Background
Bastille Day, celebrated every year on July 14, is France's national holiday. It commemorates the storming of the Bastille, a fortress-prison, in 1789 — an event that marked the beginning of the French Revolution and became a symbol of the struggle against absolute monarchy.
The capture of the Bastille marked the end of the king's unlimited power and paved the way for democratic changes in the country. That is why July 14 is considered one of France's most important state holidays.
Bastille Day became an official national holiday in 1880. Since then, France has traditionally marked it with a military parade in Paris, an air show, concerts, and festive events across the country.
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17 of July 2026
