Ukraine showcases homegrown drones, robots and aircraft on Independence Day — photo

A video of the display was shown during an online broadcast of events in the capital.

Instead of a traditional military parade, Ukrainian unmanned ground systems rolled down Khreshchatyk, while uncrewed surface vessels, including the Magura and Sea Baby models used by Ukraine’s Defense Forces, sailed along the Dnipro River.

Fighter jets and various types of attack drones also flew over Kyiv. Interceptor drones were also presented during the demonstration.

“Ukrainian strength today takes many forms. It drives forward, sails and flies. It sees farther, acts faster and finds a way where there seems to be none. Because independence is not only what we inherited. It is what we defend, create and fight for every day,” the video said.

Ukraine has not held Independence Day parades since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The last large-scale military parade took place on Aug. 24, 2021.

Ukraine celebrates Independence Day on Aug. 24, marking the 35th anniversary of the Verkhovna Rada’s adoption of the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine in 1991.

Ukraine is marking Independence Day for the fifth time amid the full-scale war launched by Russia and for the 12th time since Russia invaded Crimea and Donbas in early 2014. That means at least one-third of the 35 years since Ukraine restored its independence have passed amid war with Russia.