In pictures: Europe celebrates Ukraine Independence Day

A woman made up with the outline of a map of Ukraine on her face celebrates Ukrainian Independence Day in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022. - Copyright Markus Schreiber/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

By Joshua Askew with AP

Published on 25/08/2022 - 21:57

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Ukraine's Independence Day was widely celebrated across Europe on Wednesday in a massive show of solidarity with the war-torn country.

Ukrainians celebrated 31 years of independence from the Soviet Union on Wednesday.

However, the day also coincided with a more grim milestone in Ukraine's history: The six-month anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion.

In a fiery video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed that Ukraine would resist Russia's troops "until the end" without "any concession or compromise".

While celebrations were more muted in Kyiv, amid fears of possible Russian attacks, people across Europe gathered in a show of solidarity with Ukraine.

They waved the country's national flag and many pledged their unwavering support for the country.

These are some of the best images captured on the day by photographers around the continent.