Kyiv displays captured tanks on Independence Day as Ukrainians cast a wary eye on Russia

Ukraine's Independence Day, which on Wednesday marks 31 years since the country voted to break with the Soviet Union, is set to be a somber affair as officials warn that Russia may carry out missile attacks against Ukrainian cities.

While previous years have been marked by celebrations and parades, Wednesday's commemoration comes exactly six months after Russia's invasion of the country began.

President Volodymyr Zelensky marked the day with an emotional address that spoke of the Russian invasion as a new independence day -- the day Ukraine had to fight for its freedom, rather than simply voting for it at the ballot box.

"A new nation emerged on February 24 at 4 a.m. Not born, but reborn. A nation that didn't cry, didn't scream, didn't get scared. Didn't run away. Didn't give up. Didn't forget," Zelensky said Wednesday.