People attend an event where the Ukrainian armed Forces are exhibiting destroyed Russian military hardware as a trophy of resistance to kick-start Ukraine's Independence Day celebrations on Sunday, Aug 21, 2022. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti, for The Guardian)

Ukraine declared independence after nearly 70 years under Moscow's control when the Soviet Union; landed on a journey of collapse in 1991. This august 24, Ukraine marks its 31st anniversary of Independence.