The 2025 celebration of Ukraine’s independence at Boston’s Government Center featured a flag raising and short talks by immigration advocates.

When the speeches ended, a US Marine Corps band began playing contemporary hits on the adjacent section of the plaza.

When the music stopped, one marine and his Ukrainian partner held hands as they shopped in a pop-up Ukrainian gift market.

A few days later, Russia launched one of its biggest attacks on downtown Kyiv, killing at least 21 people and wounding more than 60.