The attacks came on the last Sunday of May, which is usually when the capital celebrates the anniversary of its official founding 1,541 years ago. ‘Kyiv Day” is typically marked by street fairs, live concerts and special events across the city.
Despite dealing with the ongoing invasion of Russian troops at the nation’s Eastern borders, officials were still planning on having the annual celebration this year, but on a much smaller scale.
“The history of Ukraine is a long-standing irritant for the insecure Russians,” Andriy Yermak, the head of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy‘s office, said on Telegram.