– We have stood strong for six months. It’s tough but we’ve clenched our fists and we’re fighting for our destiny. We will hold up our hands only once – when we celebrate our victory, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video broadcast speech.
But there will be no celebration. Kyiv and other regions have imposed bans on public gatherings for 36 hours around Independence Day. The president has also urged his citizens to be vigilant about possible Russian attacks.
But around Ukraine and the world, ceremonies have been held to commemorate the tens of thousands killed, and the millions of people forced to flee from destroyed cities and homes.