Moscow Marks Russia Day
June 12 marks Russia Day: a national holiday that sees Muscovites flock to festivities and firework shows across the city.
First celebrated in 1992, the date commemorates when the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic first declared state sovereignty in 1990.
But 30 years on, the holiday is not only being celebrated in Russia itself — but also in Ukrainian towns and cities occupied by Russian troops.
First celebrated in 1992, the date commemorates when the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic first declared state sovereignty in 1990.
But 30 years on, the holiday is not only being celebrated in Russia itself — but also in Ukrainian towns and cities occupied by Russian troops.
The world's largest Victory Banner — the Soviet flag raised over Berlin during World War II — is unfurled at Moscow’s Victory Museum in honor of Russia Day.
Alexander Avilov / Moskva News Agency
Tens of people join together to hold a rendition of the Soviet Victory Banner in Moscow.
Alexander Avilov / Moskva News Agency
Workers erect banners close to Moscow’s U.S. Embassy to mark the renaming of a nearby square in honor of the Donetsk People’s Republic.
Moskva News Agency
Pedestrians walk past banners celebrating the renaming of Donetsk People’s Republic Square.
Moskva News Agency
Staff members wait as one of Russia’s former McDonald's restaurants opens under the name Vkusno-i Tochka on Moscow’s Pushkinskaya Square.
Kirill Zykov / Moskva News Agency
Customers pose as they wait to be let into one of Moscow’s newly rebranded former McDonald’s restaurants.
Denis Voronin / Moskva News Agency
Staff hand out balloons to crowds waiting outside a newly relaunched McDonald's restaurant. The sign reads: “the name has changed, but the love stays the same.”
Pelagia Tikhonova / Moskva News Agency
Hungry customers eat their meals at the rebranded Vkusno-i Tochka restaurant in Moscow.
Kirill Zykov / Moskva News Agency
An acrobat performs at the Podorozhnik Travel Festival at Moscow’s VDNH exhibition center.
Kirill Zykov / Moskva News Agency
A performer appears in costume at the Podorozhnik Travel Festival at Moscow’s VDNH exhibition center.
Kirill Zykov / Moskva News Agency
Performers dressed as snails entertain the crowds at the Podorozhnik Travel Festival at Moscow’s VDNH exhibition center.
Kirill Zykov / Moskva News Agency
Historical reenactors appear at the Times and Epochs: Victories of Russia festival in Moscow.
Alexander Avilov / Moskva News Agency
Performers in historical costume talk to a young woman at the Times and Epochs: Victories of Russia festival in Moscow.
Alexander Avilov / Moskva News Agency
Actors and spectators take a moment to rest at the Times and Epochs: Victories of Russia festival in Moscow.
Alexander Avilov / Moskva News Agency
Projections in honor of Russia Day appear on the facades of buildings on Moscow’s Novy Arbat.
Moskva News Agency
Buildings on Moscow’s Novy Arbat are lit up for Russia Day, including in the colors of the Russian flag.
Moskva News Agency
