Ukraine Before The War

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The war in Ukraine is heartbreaking on so many levels ... millions fleeing their once-tranquil homeland, and images from before the invasion show how much has changed. Ukraine was a vibrant place before Vladimir Putin brought war to their land, and it's interesting to look back at life for Ukrainians before they saw their cities bombed to ruins.

Ukrainian cyclists dressed in retro outfits attend the Spring Festival Retro Cruise 2019 bikes ride in downtown Kiev, Ukraine (May, 2019.)

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Ukrainian cyclists dressed in retro outfits attend the Spring Festival Retro Cruise 2019 bikes ride in downtown Kiev, Ukraine (May, 2019.)

A rainbow rises above the gorgeous residential buildings and lush trees in Kyiv, Ukraine (May, 2020).

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A rainbow rises above the gorgeous residential buildings and lush trees in Kyiv, Ukraine (May, 2020).

Vylkove is a town located in the Ukrainian part of the Danube Delta, on the border with Romania. The streets of Vilkovo consist of a network of numerous streams and navigable canals, through which residents move on their boats.

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Vylkove is a town located in the Ukrainian part of the Danube Delta, on the border with Romania. The streets of Vilkovo consist of a network of numerous streams and navigable canals, through which residents move on their boats.

Tourists at sunset on Rynok or Market Square, the main square in the old town of Lviv, in Ukraine. Its well preserved architecture, which blends Central and Eastern European styles, and cheap prices, make it popular with tourists (2017).

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Tourists at sunset on Rynok or Market Square, the main square in the old town of Lviv, in Ukraine. Its well preserved architecture, which blends Central and Eastern European styles, and cheap prices, make it popular with tourists (2017).

People in traditional Ukrainian costumes carry out the rituals during the Andriivski Vechornytsi celebration at the Zakarpattia Regional Museum of Folk Architecture and Life, Uzhhorod, western Ukraine. The Andriivski Vechornytsi is a gathering taking place on the eve of St Andrew's Day (December 13) when young women try to predict their future in marriage (December, 2021).

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People in traditional Ukrainian costumes carry out the rituals during the Andriivski Vechornytsi celebration at the Zakarpattia Regional Museum of Folk Architecture and Life, Uzhhorod, western Ukraine. The Andriivski Vechornytsi is a gathering taking place on the eve of St Andrew's Day (December 13) when young women try to predict their future in marriage (December, 2021).

Children play in the first snow that has hit the western Ukrainian city this winter wearing hats, gloves and boots in Lviv, Ukraine (Dec. 2019).

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Children play in the first snow that has hit the western Ukrainian city this winter wearing hats, gloves and boots in Lviv, Ukraine (Dec. 2019).

A heart-shaped frame is set close to the Tunnel of Love, a section of industrial railway located near Klevan town that is famous for its green arches in northwestern Ukraine (October, 2021).

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A heart-shaped frame is set close to the Tunnel of Love, a section of industrial railway located near Klevan town that is famous for its green arches in northwestern Ukraine (October, 2021).

Activists carry placards and shout slogans during a few-thousand march

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Activists carry placards and shout slogans during a few-thousand march "For Kiev" in the center of the Ukrainian capital of Kiev on October 2, 2021. The protesters were demanding that the city's powers stop the illegal and chaotic construction of the city, save historical historical architecture and parks, reform transport system, and provide clean air and water.

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A couple is seen kissing in Mariinskiy Park on a pleasant Spring day in Kyiv, Ukraine on March 30, 2019.

The Asian elephant called Vendi (Wendy) celebrates her 42nd birthday with a festive dinner at the Odesa Zoo in southern Ukraine (September, 2021).

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The Asian elephant called Vendi (Wendy) celebrates her 42nd birthday with a festive dinner at the Odesa Zoo in southern Ukraine (September, 2021).

Photo taken from the Monastery of the Caves shows the city view of Kiev, Ukraine. The Monastery of the Caves Pechersk Lavra in Kiev was founded in the 11th century (November, 2019).

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Photo taken from the Monastery of the Caves shows the city view of Kiev, Ukraine. The Monastery of the Caves Pechersk Lavra in Kiev was founded in the 11th century (November, 2019).

The view over the Old Town from the clock tower on Market Square in Central Lviv, Ukraine (2017).

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The view over the Old Town from the clock tower on Market Square in Central Lviv, Ukraine (2017).

Locals and tourists are seen walking at the city main square during a warm spring day in Lviv, Ukraine (May, 2018).

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Locals and tourists are seen walking at the city main square during a warm spring day in Lviv, Ukraine (May, 2018).

A man rides a Bolt Rental EScooter through the streets of Lviv during the warm summer months in Ukraine (July, 2021).

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A man rides a Bolt Rental EScooter through the streets of Lviv during the warm summer months in Ukraine (July, 2021).

The lush landscape around Zaporizhzhia grows dense after the spring months in southeastern Ukraine.

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The lush landscape around Zaporizhzhia grows dense after the spring months in southeastern Ukraine.

People walk in the Monastery of the Caves in Kiev, Ukraine. The Monastery of the Caves Pechersk Lavra in Kiev was founded in the 11th century (November, 2019).

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People walk in the Monastery of the Caves in Kiev, Ukraine. The Monastery of the Caves Pechersk Lavra in Kiev was founded in the 11th century (November, 2019).

Transgender activists participate in the Pride march, estimated to be the city's largest ever in Kiev, Ukraine (June, 2019).

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Transgender activists participate in the Pride march, estimated to be the city's largest ever in Kiev, Ukraine (June, 2019).

People walk in the park in front of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Kiev Monastery of the Caves) on a sunny day in Kyiv, Ukraine, October 17, 2018.

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People walk in the park in front of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Kiev Monastery of the Caves) on a sunny day in Kyiv, Ukraine, October 17, 2018.

People are seen taking pictures on Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine on the eve of their Independence Day (August, 2019).

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People are seen taking pictures on Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine on the eve of their Independence Day (August, 2019).

The second hand book market on Pidvalna Street, near the statue of Ukraine's first printer, Fedorov, in the old town of Lviv, in Ukraine. Its well preserved architecture, which blends Central and Eastern European styles, and cheap prices, make it popular with tourists (2017).

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The second hand book market on Pidvalna Street, near the statue of Ukraine's first printer, Fedorov, in the old town of Lviv, in Ukraine. Its well preserved architecture, which blends Central and Eastern European styles, and cheap prices, make it popular with tourists (2017).

Ukrainians bathe in a frozen pond to celebrate Orthodox Epiphany on January 19, 2022 in Chasiv Yar, Ukraine. The holiday celebrates the baptism of Jesus for Orthodox Christians, who plunge into the icy water to symbolically wash away their sins on a day when it is believed that all water becomes holy.

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Ukrainians bathe in a frozen pond to celebrate Orthodox Epiphany on January 19, 2022 in Chasiv Yar, Ukraine. The holiday celebrates the baptism of Jesus for Orthodox Christians, who plunge into the icy water to symbolically wash away their sins on a day when it is believed that all water becomes holy.

Snow-covered houses are seen at the Hutsul Land ethno-park in Bukovel (the largest ski resort in Eastern Europe), Ivano-Frankivsk Region, western Ukraine (December, 2021).

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Snow-covered houses are seen at the Hutsul Land ethno-park in Bukovel (the largest ski resort in Eastern Europe), Ivano-Frankivsk Region, western Ukraine (December, 2021).

The community gathers to enjoy Christmas decorations, a ferris wheel and traditional Christmas fair on Kontraktova Square in Kyiv, Ukraine on Christmas Eve.

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The community gathers to enjoy Christmas decorations, a ferris wheel and traditional Christmas fair on Kontraktova Square in Kyiv, Ukraine on Christmas Eve.

People warm their hands by an open fire near a Christmas tree set by the People's Friendship Arch, Kyiv, capital of Ukraine the day after Christmas 2021.

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People warm their hands by an open fire near a Christmas tree set by the People's Friendship Arch, Kyiv, capital of Ukraine the day after Christmas 2021.