“First time”: Ukrainian troops joined Belgium’s National Day parade in Brussels

For the first time, Ukrainian soldiers marched among the foreigners in Brussels. The defenders joined the foreign part of Belgium's National Day military parade on 21 July, according to the General Staff.

Belgium placed the Ukrainian unit in the city that houses NATO and EU headquarters in a deliberate signal of where Europe now positions Ukraine's army. The 23 soldiers were the same ones who marched in France's Bastille Day parade a week earlier.

Belgium has been Ukraine's ally in the struggle against Russian aggression. It has supplied Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, air defense systems, restored Gepard anti-aircraft guns, Leopard tanks, armored medical vehicles, drones, ammunition, and small arms, and has provided annual military aid exceeding €1 billion.

Francken calls participation historic

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken underlined the first.

"This is the first time a Ukrainian unit takes part in the 21 July parade, and we are very proud of it," he said.

The General Staff thanked Belgium for its support throughout the full-scale war and singled out the people alongside the hardware.

Belgian instructors and technical specialists train Ukrainian pilots and mechanics to operate the F-16, as Belgium co-founded the fighter coalition and has delivered jets from its own fleet. Belgian medical and rehabilitation facilities treat wounded Ukrainian soldiers.

"Our peoples are united by a shared belief that independence, democracy, and human dignity are worth defending. Thank you for standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine," the General Staff said.

In April, Belgium and Spain decided to provide Ukraine with €1 billion each in defense assistance. The funding was directed toward strengthening air defense, developing drone capabilities, and supporting the “Czech initiative” to supply the front line with long-range artillery. The funds were also channeled to key defense sectors, such as the development of modern unmanned technologies, which have already become decisive on the battlefield.