Ukraine is celebrating 30 years of independence from the Soviet Union. This Day is celebrated on 24 August each year, the date in 1991 that Ukrainian politicians declared independence days after a communist coup against Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev failed.

More than 90% of Ukrainians approved the decision in a referendum that December, when the Soviet Union officially ceased to exist.

A military parade was also held in Kiev. More than 5,000 soldiers marched on the main square of the capital. Georgian military forces also took part in it.

The event was attended by more than 30 delegations from friendly countries of Ukraine, including Georgia.