Credit: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine/Cover Images

This video footage shows Ukrainian tanks parading in the centre of Kyiv on Saturday, ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day on Wednesday (24August2022). Locals flocked to the centre of the capital to watch the procession of vehicles abandoned by Russia, examining and climbing on the vehicles. It later transpired that the tanks featured in filmed footage for both President Volodymyr Zelensky and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko’s Independence Day messages, with Zelensky delivering part of his recorded speech celebrating the 31st anniversary of Ukraine’s independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union in front of the vehicles. Klitschko’s message featured drone footage shot while passing just over the tanks. The vehicles were captured following Russia's invasion in February - with the parade seen as mocking Russian President Vladimir Putin's plans to have troops in Kyiv within days or weeks of the invasion - which after a spirited fight from Ukrainians and Western aid has become bogged down in retreat and stalemate.