Ukraine celebrates another Independence Day as war rages on

Destroyed and destroyed military vehicles lined Khreshchatyk Street in Kyiv, Ukraine, where many Ukrainians gathered on Thursday to mark the country's second anniversary. Independence Day since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. The vehicles were installed during last year's celebrations, which commemorate the country's break with the Soviet Union in 1991.Credit... Photographs by Laetitia Vancon for The New York Times

It's been a year since Ukraine first parked a parade of destroyed Russian tanks, other armored vehicles and artillery pieces on Kiev's main thoroughfare to mark the country's Independence Day , forgoing major public events in hopes of avoiding Russian missile strikes.

It was the country's first Independence Day since the Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Over the next 12 months, Ukrainian forces retook swathes of territory in the northeast of the country in September. Then, in November, they retook the port city of Kherson. The winter was cold and dark as Russia bombed Ukraine's power grid, and in May, in a fierce battle, one of the bloodiest of the war, Ukraine lost the eastern town of Bakhmut. Today, Ukrainian forces embark on another counter-offensive, this time as part of a campaign to retake territories to the south and east.

For Ukraine it has been a long time. year. On Thursday, Ukrainians in the capital Kyiv again gathered around destroyed Russian vehicles that lined Khreshchatyk Street and stood in front of Independence Square, also known as Maidan. The atmosphere was almost that of a museum. People were tired. The novelty of last year's exhibit wore off, as did the burst of euphoria that followed after Kiev survived the first months of the war and repelled Russian advances.

Independence Day in Ukraine commemorates the country's break with the S...