Ukraine marks 33rd anniversary of independence as war against Russia rages

Iryna Belikova with her children, on an evacuation train in Pokrovsk (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

A sombre atmosphere pervaded Ukraine’s 33rd Independence Day on Saturday, as its war against Russia’s aggression reaches a 30-month milestone.

No fireworks, parades or concerts are planned and instead Ukrainians will mark the day with commemorations for civilians and soldiers killed in the war.