Kyiv’s apparent return to normality is deceptive on eve of independence day

Oleksandr and Svetlana on the beach in Kyiv. ‘We hope martial law is eased at least so we can get out of the country for a holiday.’ Photograph: Christopher Cherry/The Guardian

Kyiv’s decision to ban public celebrations of its independence day on Wednesday marks a rare blip in the apparent rapid recovery of the capital since the Russians were defeated in their attempt to capture the city in March.

Streets, shops and restaurants have been bustling, with trade in some cases returning to prewar levels, local people gather on the beaches in the August warmth and there have been only two missile attacks in the capital since the end of April, making the fighting appear distant.