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More than 100,000 Ukrainians flocked to Kyiv’s main street, Khreshchatyk, on Aug. 24 to celebrate their country’s 18th year of independence. Yaroslav Debelyi More than 100,000 Ukrainians flocked to Kyiv’s main street on Aug. 24 to celebrate the 18th year of independence. Kyiv Post Photo Story gives a feel of what the celebration was like.

Tens of thousands of Kyivans hailed their country’s 18th year of independence on Aug. 24, in a celebration that simultaneously demonstrated military might, beauty, history and youth.

After a pastor-like speech given by President Victor Yushchenko, the day’s celebrations kicked off at 10 a.m. A military parade was directed by Ivan Svyda (5), a leading commander of Ukraine’s military forces. Large crowds watched as troops marched along Kyiv’s main street, Khreshchatyk (2, 6, 9). Simultaneously, fighter jets and bombers flew over, including the Ukraine-made Mriya (3), the world’s largest airplane and holder of multiple Guinness book records.

Afterwards, citizens and excited young children were allowed to crawl all over tanks, armored personnel carriers and trucks carrying missiles and anti-aircraft systems (7).

Kyiv mayor Leonid Chernovetsky released white doves and unveiled a brand new clock(1) made of flowers, which is located on a hillside at Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Kyiv’s main square. In front of the city mayor’s office, men dressed as Kozaks (4) demonstrated Hopak, a hand-to-hand and kicking combat technique used by the legendary 15-17th century warriors.

Meanwhile, members of Femen, a Kyiv-based women’s rights organization, stripped to protest widespread use of Ukrainian children in pornography, prostitution and attempts by politicians to mask their wrongdoings and shortcomings on key issues by holding such massive celebrations (8).