Before Russia's invasion, this was an ordinary green lawn in the heart of Ukraine's capital. Tourists would visit to take photos, and locals would stroll there on weekends.
But 1,000 days of war have transformed it into a makeshift memorial, dotted with blue-and-yellow flags - each honoring a soldier who died fighting Russia. Many were volunteers who left their civilian lives behind to answer to defend their country.
Their loved ones, left alone with grief, hope their sacrifices won't be forgotten. They plant small, simple flags, hand-marked with the names and dates they died. Over time, the flags have multiplied, fluttering in the wind as the seasons change and the war drags on.
"I put it so that someone might pass by and see that this person once lived and gave their life for us," said Svitlana Kirichenko, who traveled from Cherkasy to replace the weathered flag she had planted over a year ago in honor of her son, who died fighting. She carefully placed a new one in its place.
"So we can live peacefully among our own people, and not have Russians dictate how we should live and what to do."
