The center of Kyiv in ruins: what Independence Square looked like after World War II

The network mentioned how the Independence Square looked like during and after the Second World War – in the center of Kyiv there were ruins.

In the Facebook community “Club of Native Kyivans” they showed what the main square of Ukraine looked like after the Second World War.

In 1935, the square was renamed in honor of one of of Soviet party leaders – Mykhailo Kalinin.

During the Nazi occupation of 1941-1943, Khreshchatyk and part of the square turned into solid ruins. During the retreat, the Soviet troops mined the houses of the main street, the mines went off on September 24, 1941, a gigantic fire broke out, which lasted for several days and destroyed almost the entire odd-numbered side and the even-numbered quarters from the central square to the Central Market.

August 16 In 1944, a huge column of Nazi prisoners was led through the streets of Kyiv, they also passed by Khreshchatyk.

A column of prisoners on Kalinin Square against the background of the ruins of Ginzburg's house. Photo by H. Ugrinovich. From the funds of the Kyivmiskbudu museum. August 16, 1944/Photo: Courtesy of Olena Nasyrova

The Kyivans heard the official news of victory on the night of May 9, at 2:15. Much earlier, people again began to gather on the streets near loudspeakers.

The partying did not stop throughout the night, and already at nine in the morning Stalin's speech was heard.