Ukraine’s turbulent history overlays commemorations at World War II memorials.

At the Eternal Glory Park in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, young boys and old military men on Monday laid bunches of spring flowers at a World War II memorial, despite a ban on public gatherings amid the ongoing danger of Russian attacks.

But generally the capital’s streets were nearly empty. Local governments canceled all ceremonies, telling citizens to stay home and urging them to pay attention to air raid sirens. Many residents who could find gasoline in the midst of a countrywide fuel shortage left the city over the weekend for the relatively safer countryside.

Ukraine celebrates May 9 as the Day of Victory over Nazism in World War II, when the country was part of the Soviet Union and helped defeat Germany. Ukraine gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Read more

@nytimes