The 24 August is Ukrainian Independence Day. This celebrates the Ukraine escaping from control from Moscow. This year, Ukraine put on a military parade, reminiscent of the annual May Day Parade held in Moscow, during the Cold War.
Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko and the supreme command staff sing the national anthem during a military parade, marking the 23rd anniversary of Ukraine's independence from Russia.Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty ImagesPresident Poroshenko decried Russian 'aggression' on Ukraine's Independence Day parade, while more forces battle pro-Moscow rebels in the east of the country.Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty ImagesUkrainian forces stand on armoured personnel carriers (APCs), during a rehearsal ahead of the Ukraine's IndependenceSergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty ImagesThe Independence Day parade is similar to Soviet Russia's May Day parades, which were propaganda designed to show off the Soviet military forces.Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty ImagesUkrainian forces practice their 'goose step' march in the center of Kiev, during a rehearsal ahead of the Ukraine's Independence Day.Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty ImagesA Ukrainian soldier stretches his leg muscles out, preparing for the goose steps, before a rehearsal of the parade.Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty ImagesSoldiers help each other warm up their leg muscles before an Independence Day parade rehearsal.Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty ImagesPresident Poroshenko has promised to invest billions into the Ukraine's military.Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty Images
