The head of Kyiv’s Military Command, Major General Mykola Zhyrnov, said events have been banned in the capital and other cities so security forces can respond more effectively to possible Russian attacks. Instead of a parade, damaged and captured Russian military vehicles, including tanks, were placed on Khreshchatyk, Kiev’s main street, as evidence of Moscow’s failed attempt to capture the capital in the first weeks of the war.
“The enemy planned to hold a ‘parade’ in Khreshchatyk in three days, but it failed. Our armed forces responded,” Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Ukrainian President’s office, wrote on Telegram on Saturday when the vehicles were placed on the road with a crane. On the eve of Independence Day, crowds of people were seen at Khreshchatyk, inspecting the display. Some children crawled onto the rusted metal carcass of a tank, while others posed for photos next to the mangled vehicles. Lyubov, who asked that her last name not be published, said she showed up to show the “scrap parade” to her 8-year-old son, Ilya. As Illia climbed into a Russian combat vehicle, Lyubov described the parade as “symbolic,” saying “a lot of people in Kyiv (have forgotten) the war, so I think this is a good reminder.” Her husband, who is fighting on the front lines, has begged her to leave the capital for their country house, 50 kilometers away, she said. But she refused to go. Even if “there are massive missile attacks in Kyiv (on Wednesday), we will not leave,” he said, explaining that he has an emergency bag at home, with enough clothes and overalls “in case of radioactivity … in case of missiles. They don’t scare us so easily anymore.” “I don’t feel celebratory about (Independence Day), rather sad,” he added. “Because I understand what’s going on and my husband and my brother are on the front lines.” Holding a Ukrainian flag, another viewer told CNN that she also has relatives fighting against Russia. “My father is on the front line, many of my relatives are on the front line … so tomorrow is not a celebration as such, but honor and a sense of independence, because this time it will feel different than the previous 30 years,” he said Daria, 35, who declined to give her last name.

“Tears me up”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Tuesday that Russia may step up efforts to launch attacks, including missile attacks, on “infrastructural facilities or state institutions” during the holiday season. The US government joined the chorus of concern, telling Americans on Tuesday to leave the country immediately. In Khreshchatyk, Ukrainian spoils of war, many who spoke to CNN shared their concerns about a possible Russian attack on Wednesday. “We were planning to come here tomorrow, but because there were many warnings for tomorrow, we will stay at home,” said 51-year-old Oleh Fetir as he visited the parade with his wife. “We came here to see the parade of scrap metal, because the (Russians) spoiled our celebration. Last year on Independence Day we were here watching the parade of (Ukrainian) military equipment, with the planes, it was fascinating and Exciting. Now, this current parade is quite impressive. The photos of those who were inside are missing,” he said, referring to the Russian soldiers. After six months of conflict that brought Ukraine’s economy to a standstill and disrupted almost every part of daily life, the fatigue was palpable. “I don’t feel festive about tomorrow, no festive mood,” said 29-year-old Oleksii, explaining that he is worried about rockets being fired into the capital. “My hatred of Russians has grown so much that it is tearing me apart,” said Anna, 68, who declined to give her last name for security reasons. The clinic she works at has told her to work remotely for the next few days. “I worked (throughout) the war… sometimes coming home under fire,” he said. He described Russian President Vladimir Putin as unpredictable, like “a monkey holding a grenade”. “He says one thing, does something else, and nobody can guess what’s really on his mind,” he said.