Ukraine commemorates 33rd Independence Day with tributes to fallen soldiers and civilians in ongoing war

Ukraine observed its 33rd Independence Day on Saturday honoring the day with commemorations for civilians and soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict as the war against Russia’s aggression reached the 30-month mark. (Photo: AFP)

In place of traditional festivities such as fireworks, parades, and concerts, serviceman and civilians visited makeshift memorial adorned with Ukrainian flags and names of fallen service members at Independence Square. (Photo: AP)

President Volodymyr Zelensky offered flowers to fallen soldiers in the Russia-Ukraine war. (Photo: Volodymyr Zelensky X handle)

President Zelensky held official Independence Day celebrations at Kyiv's Sofia Square, joined by Polish President Andrzej Duda and Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte. (Photo: ​Volodymyr Zelensky X handle)

"Independence is the silence we feel when we lose our people," President Zelensky said in a speech to the nation. "Independence descends into the shelter during an air raid, only to endure and rise again to tell the enemy: You will achieve nothing," he added. (Photo: Volodymyr Zelensky X handle)

Zelensky announced that 115 of the country’s servicemen returned home on Saturday as Russia and Ukraine conducted a significant prisoner exchange. "These are warriors of the National Guard, the Armed Forces, the Navy, and the State Border Guard Service. I am grateful to each unit that replenishes our exchange fund," said Zelensky on X. (Photo: Volodymyr Zelensky X handle)

In Lviv, Ukrainian servicemen walked among graves at the Field of Mars cemetery to honor fallen soldiers. (Photo: AFP)

Priests participated in a ceremony at the Field of Mars cemetery in Lviv to honor the fallen soldiers on Ukraine's Independence Day. (Photo: AFP)

In Kyiv, a woman crossed herself as she visited a memorial area dedicated to fallen Ukrainian and foreign fighters. (Photo: AFP)

Members of the 'Lesya Ukrainka' association carried a banner through the city center in Skopje during celebrations marking Ukraine's Independence Day. Ukrainians living in North Macedonia observed the day alongside Macedonian politicians. (Photo: AFP)

In Skopje, North Macedonia, PM Hristijan Mickoski joined members of the Ukrainian association 'Lesya Ukrainka' to carry a giant Ukrainian national flag through the city center. (Photo: AFP)

In Helsinki, Finland, people held Ukrainian flags at the 'United for Ukraine' event at Senate Square to mark the independence day. (Photo: AP)

In Geneva, Switzerland, people gathered at the Place des Nations in front of the European headquarters of the United Nations to mark the day. (Photo: AP)