In Photos: Russia, Ukraine Celebrate International Women's Day in Wartime
People in Russia and Ukraine celebrated International Women's Day on Wednesday amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
International Women's Day, which has been celebrated in both countries since the Soviet era, primarily involves women receiving flowers and congratulations on their contributions to society.
Beyond the flowers and gifts, March 8 is also a day when women's rights activists in both countries call for greater equality.
Here's a look at the celebrations in Russia and Ukraine:
International Women's Day, which has been celebrated in both countries since the Soviet era, primarily involves women receiving flowers and congratulations on their contributions to society.
Beyond the flowers and gifts, March 8 is also a day when women's rights activists in both countries call for greater equality.
Here's a look at the celebrations in Russia and Ukraine:
Women dance to mark International Women's Day at Freedom Square in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city.
Sergey Bobok / AFP
At the Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented state awards to women who have distinguished themselves in the defense of Ukraine during the Russian invasion.
president.gov.ua
Awards were handed to women serving in the military as well as women working in civilian professions.
One of the state awards was granted posthumously to an unnamed civilian woman.
One of the state awards was granted posthumously to an unnamed civilian woman.
president.gov.ua
Ukrainian activists attend a rally to honor women's experiences during the war and to mark International Women's Day at Freedom Square in Kharkiv.
Sergey Bobok / AFP
A Russian fighter pictured sending congratulations to women at a checkpoint in the Luhansk People's Republic.
Alexander Reka / TASS
Police officers congratulate women and give them flowers in the Moscow metro.
Denis Voronin / Moskva News Agency
March 8 celebrations in Moscow.
Sergei Vedyashkin / Moskva News Agency
Emergencies ministry employees also congratulated women in the Moscow Metro to mark the holiday.
Arthur Novosiltsev / Moskva News Agency
Russian President Vladimir Putin presented state awards to prominent Russian women at the Kremlin's Catherine Hall.
A journalist working in Ukraine's southern Kherson region which is largely controlled by Russian forces and a doctor in Ukraine's eastern Luhansk region were among the recipients.
A journalist working in Ukraine's southern Kherson region which is largely controlled by Russian forces and a doctor in Ukraine's eastern Luhansk region were among the recipients.
Ilya Pitalev / kremlin.ru
March 8 celebrations in Moscow.
Arthur Novosiltsev / Moskva News Agency
March 8 celebrations in Moscow.
Sophia Sandurskaya / Moskva News Agency
