Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed a decree in accordance with which a military parade will be held in central Kyiv to mark the 25th anniversary of Independence Day.

"I decree holding a military parade on Khreschatytk Street and the Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) in Kyiv on August 24, 2016, to mark the 25th anniversary of Ukrainian Independence Day," the document said.

Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak has been tasked with preparations for the event.

Further, the president instructed the government to allocate funds for the preparation of the parade.

The State TV and Radio Broadcasting Committee will be in charge of broadcasting the event.

The order is due to become effective on the day of its publication.

As Interfax-Ukraine learnt from its sources, military hardware from the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) zone in eastern Ukraine will not be engaged in the parade. Only military equipment located in Kyiv region and in nearby areas will take part in the event.

In 2014, on its 23rd independence, Ukraine staged a military parade in Kyiv with the participation of Ukrainian servicemen and military hardware. Koguar armored personnel carriers (APCs) of Kremenchuk KrAZ Automobile Plant, Ukrainian BTR 3E, BTR 4E APCs designed by Kharkiv-based Malyshev plant, prototypes of Igla MANPADs, anti-tank guns, Smerch rocket-propelled multiple rocket launchers, Osa anti-aircraft missile systems were showcased during that year's parade. After which, the equipment was sent to the ATO zone.

In 2015, Kyiv's Independence Square was the stage for a march of 2,300 ATO military personnel, officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military and law enforcement units, cadets of military universities from different regions of the country. No military equipment was displayed. The country's leaders said all military equipment was engaged in the ATO zone in Donbas.