On the main Khreshchatyk street in Kyiv, Russian tanks and other military vehicles are lined up.
All knocked out in battles against Ukrainian forces.
On August 24, Ukraine usually celebrates its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. But this year, everything has been canceled due to fears of Russian attacks.
The day also coincides with the half-year anniversary since Russia's invasion began.
The United States has urged its citizens to leave the country and warns of upcoming Russian attacks on civilian targets in the country in connection with Independence Day.
"Fewer people on the streets"
Tobias Thyberg is Sweden's ambassador in Kyiv.
He has noticed a charged atmosphere in the city after warnings from both the Ukrainian government and the United States.
- My impression is that there are fewer people on the streets and that there is less traffic.
I think there is a concern for the coming days, he says.
Takes action
The Americans' warnings must be taken seriously, says Tobias Thyberg.
- The US has consistently had very good intelligence about the Russian aggression.
I don't want to go into what measures we are taking here at the embassy, but we are adapting our own way of working, he says.