Moscow probably imagined the deployment of Russian tanks in Kyiv differently. For its Independence Day, Ukraine lines up destroyed and captured vehicles of Russia. Numerous onlookers take selfies with the destroyed armor of the attackers.
Ukraine wants to celebrate its Independence Day on August 24 this year with a very special parade. Burned out, destroyed and captured military vehicles of Russian troops were lined up on Khreshchatyk, the central street in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Among them are military transporters, tanks and rocket launchers. Numerous onlookers took photos of the vehicles, and some even climbed onto the tanks to take selfies with them.
Ukrainian MP Roman Hryshchuk shared a video of the vehicles on Twitter with the statement: “Russian tanks on parade in central Kyiv.” He added: “But there is a nuance.” The politician could ironically allude to the absence of Russian soldiers. Russian troops had tried to conquer Kyiv at the beginning of the war. However, after a few days and heavy losses, they withdrew from the area around the Ukrainian capital.
British journalist Emma Graham-Harrison wrote on Twitter: “Ukraine continues to troll Moscow.” She pointed to reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin expected a quick capture of Kiev and a speedy victory parade through the Ukrainian capital. “Today the Russian military vehicles are finally lined up on a main street in Kyiv,” she wrote under a video showing Ukrainians between the destroyed Russian vehicles.
Another video shared on Twitter by Ukrainian journalist Oleksiy Sorokin shows a family using the demonstration of looted and burned-out military vehicles as a tourist attraction. Sorokin wrote: “The Russians finally have their military parade in downtown Kiev. There’s only one catch…” So far, there has been no response from Moscow to the Ukrainian parade.
Putin himself is known for his parades. On May 9, the “Day of Victory over Nazi Germany,” he organized a march with thousands of soldiers, tanks and rockets on Red Square in Moscow. However, the parade planned by the Russian side to celebrate “Navy Day” in occupied Crimea was canceled after a drone attack.
