People in Kyiv meeting the sunrise, May 2024, IG theKyivlover
Yeap, Eternal city. It was French novelist Honore de Balzac who called Kyiv that when visiting the city back in 1847. He probably knew something : despite the daily Russian drone and missiles attacks, Kyiv had just celebrated its 1543 birthday.
Despite all odds, it stands.
And here are 31 photos to celebrate it.
Students that came to celebrate the beginning of the school year, standing near the building of ruined sports complex of their university, that was hit during Russian missile attack on Kyiv on September 2, 2024. Photo: Reuters, via BBC
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A school girl ringing a bell in Kyiv, Ukraine, on September 2, 2024 - a tradition that signifies the beginning of a school year. Earlier this morning Russia attacked Kyiv with missiles, hitting metro station and one of Kyiv schools. Photo: Yan Dobronosov, Telegraf
Apartment building hit in Kyiv after Russian drone attack on the city on November 7, 2024. Photo: Yan Dobronosov, Telegraf
Student and school kids sheltering in Kyiv metro during Russian drone attack on the city on November 26, 2024. Photo: IG Zaiarnyi Pasha
Emergency services and volunteers helping people after Russian missile attack on Ohmatdyt Children hospital, Kyiv, July 8, 2024 . Photo: Evgeniy Maloletka /AP
Protesters singing Ukrainian anthem while holding sign “Shout about the captivity” at a rally to support Ukrainian defenders being held in Russian captivity, September 22, 2024 , Kyiv, Ukraine Photo: IG Ivan_wasabi
Girl in red and black flag with a sign says “We fight for everyone” at a rally to support Ukrainian defenders being held in Russian captivity, September 22, 2024 , Kyiv, Ukraine Photo: IG Ivan_wasabi
Paddle boarders in Kyiv, September , 2024. Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo: IG Ivan_wasabi
“Empty chairs” event on Sofiivska Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, to support journalists, writers and artists who went missing, were imprisoned or are being held in Russian captivity held as POWs. November 15, 2024. Photo: Yan Dobronosov, Telegraf
A couple enjoying at river view in Kyiv, Ukraine. October, 2024. Photo: Serhii Novikov IG serhi1_n31
Cashier uses a phone flashlight to serve customers at a restaurant during a power outage in Kyiv, Ukraine, on November 28, 2024 due to Russian attack on Ukraine’s power grid. Photo: Roman Pilipey /AFP/East News , via sestry.eu
Man on a walk in Rusanivka district on a snowy day in Kyiv, November, 2024. Photo: IG Ivan_wasabi
Children’s hospital in Kyiv after Russian attack on Kyiv on November 29, 2025. Sign says in Ukrainian “the room for prams”. Photo: Yan Dobronosov, Telegraf
A boy sleeps near his dog while sheltering from Russian attack on Kyiv on December 13, 2024. photo: Yan Dobronosov, Telegraf
People dressed up as Malanka characters to celebrate Ukrainian New Year’s Eve . December 2024. Photo : IG Zayarnyi Pasha
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People gathering around New Year’s Tree on New Year’s Eve on Sofiivska Square in Kyiv, December 31, 2024 . Photo: Yan Dobronosov, Telegraf
People in central Kyiv fleeing to safety after Russia hit Kyiv with a missile on December 20, 2024, Photo: Vlada and Kostiantyn Liberov IG libkos
Sunset in Kyiv. January, 2025. Photo: IG Zaiarnyi Pasha
People walking their dogs in Kyiv, January, 2025. Photo: Serhii Novikov IG serhi1_n31
Czech hedgehogs in central Kyiv, Ukraine - are anti tank defence which aim is to not let tanks penetrate the line of defence. Since 2022, still many still could be found around Kyiv. January, 2025. Photo: Eden Duran
Young mother forced to run out of her apartment in home slippers with her kid after Russian attack. The kid is only 3 months old. January 1, 2025. Photo: Yan Dobronosov, Telegraf
Valentines’ Day in Kyiv, February 14, 2025. Photo : Yan Dobronosov, Telegraf
Merchant on a Christmas market in Kyiv pouring mulled wine. January, 2025 Photo: IG Ivan_wasabi
Man walks with his bycycle past the building hit by Russian attack on Kyiv on February 12, 2025. Photo: Yan Dobronosov, telegraf
A girl lighting up a candle in Kyiv, Ukraine to honour the memory of those killed by Russian bomb attack on Mariupol Drama Theatre on March 16, 2022. Photo : Yan Dobronosov, Telegraf, Kyiv, March, 2025
Apartment building on fire after Russian drone attack on Kyiv on March 23 , 2025. Photo: Vlada and Kostiantyn Liberov IG libkos
Family sheltering in Kyiv metro during Russia attack on Kyiv, April, 2025. Photo: Yan Dobronosov, Telegraf
A kayaker, April, 2025, Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo: IG Zayarnyi Pasha
Young man with his dog looking at his apartment building hit by Russian missile and drone attack on the night of May 24, 2025. Photo: Yan Dobronosov, Telegraf
Couple enjoying cherry blossoming in Kyiv, April, 2025. Photo: Serhii Novikov IG serhi1_n31
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Even with all the cuts and bruises, Kyiv still shines. She always will. The light of her people will always make her glow despite the attacks on her. She is, after all, eternal. And she will be beautiful forever. She mirrors her people. 🇺🇦🇺🇸
Wonderful testament to the strength and humanity of Ukrainians🇺🇦
Even with all the cuts and bruises, Kyiv still shines. She always will. The light of her people will always make her glow despite the attacks on her. She is, after all, eternal. And she will be beautiful forever. She mirrors her people. 🇺🇦🇺🇸