On the eve of the 34th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence, a unique event took place in the skies over Arizona, impressing with both its symbolism and scale. Professional skydivers performed a jump with a massive blue-and-yellow flag, and the flight with the fully unfurled cloth lasted exactly 34 seconds — one second for each year of Ukraine’s independence since 1991.
The flag jump was carried out by Franck Eloffe, a third-generation skydiver. With more than 25 years of experience, over 17,000 jumps, and nine world records behind him, Eloffe masterfully unfurled the giant flag during the flight and kept it stable in the air stream.
The moment was captured by Craig “9-Toes” Amrine, a skydiver and aerial operator with over three decades of experience and more than 12,000 jumps. He filmed the jump with helmet-mounted cameras, synchronizing his movements with Eloffe’s and maintaining a safe distance during both freefall and canopy flight.
The team prepared for this spectacle in advance. The flag was specially manufactured, delivered, and reinforced, with all attachment points checked, deployment tested, and timing rehearsed to ensure the flight lasted exactly 34 seconds. To create the perfect visual, the team carried out two consecutive jumps at the Skydive Arizona facility in Eloy, using a multi-camera aerial filming system.
After landing, Franck Eloffe admitted that during the flight he thought about the people of Ukraine risking their lives for freedom. According to him, the jump with the flag was not just a symbolic gesture but a statement intended to remind the world that Ukrainians’ struggle continues and still needs support. “I am not Ukrainian, but I believe in their fight. I want the world to keep its eyes on them. During those 34 seconds, I was representing 34 years of Ukraine’s independence,” he emphasized.
Craig Amrine added that he did not hesitate for a moment when the idea arose to capture the flight with the flag. For him, those 34 seconds became a reminder of Ukrainians’ resilience and a true expression of solidarity, despite the thousands of miles separating them.
The initiative was organized by the Ukrainian-American community group Cactus & Tryzub in partnership with Skydive Arizona. For several years, this organization has been engaged in educational and cultural projects, supporting Ukraine through advocacy, preservation of heritage, and the creation of bright symbolic actions.
The group’s founder, Iryna Amrine, stressed that the flag in the sky was a tribute to everyone who stood, fought, or gave their life for Ukraine’s freedom. “For 34 years, Ukraine has stood as a free and independent state, and we continue to fight to preserve that freedom. This flag is our tribute and our promise to the Heroes of Ukraine never to forget their sacrifice,” she said.
The video of the flag flight went viral on social media both in Ukraine and in the United States. The event has become one of the most striking examples of solidarity between the two nations and a symbol of unity that brought people together around the idea of freedom.
Author: Inna Mikhno