Vintage photos show what Kyiv looked like before Russia’s assault on Ukraine’s glittering capital

Vintage photos show what Kyiv looked like before Russia’s assault on Ukraine’s glittering capital

Ukrainians attend the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in front of the Saint Sophia's Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine, December 19, 2016.

Ukrainians attend the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in front of the Saint Sophia’s Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine, December 19, 2016.Photo by Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images

  • When Putin declared war on Ukraine, he expected to quickly seize the country’s