Ukraine marks Independence Day while bracing for Russian attacks

Today marks six months since Russia’s invasion and 31 years of freedom from the Soviet Union

Ukraine Independence Day celebrations in Kyiv
People celebrating Ukraine's independence day in Kyiv
(Image credit: Photo by Metin Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Ukraine is commemorating its Independence Day with muted celebrations as it braces for possible Russian attacks.

Wednesday marks 31 years since Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union but it is also six months to the day since Russia’s invasion, which has killed thousands of civilians and military personnel.

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Richard Windsor is a freelance writer for The Week Digital. He began his journalism career writing about politics and sport while studying at the University of Southampton. He then worked across various football publications before specialising in cycling for almost nine years, covering major races including the Tour de France and interviewing some of the sport’s top riders. He led Cycling Weekly’s digital platforms as editor for seven of those years, helping to transform the publication into the UK’s largest cycling website. He now works as a freelance writer, editor and consultant.