Ukraine Rallies Banned After Zelensky Says Not to Bend to 'Enemy Pressure'

Celebratory events for Ukraine's Independence Day were banned in the capital city of Kyiv days after President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the country would not give in to "enemy pressure" from Russia.

Zelensky warned in a video address Saturday that Russia could attempt to do "something particularly ugly, something particularly vicious" to coincide with the planned holiday festivities on August 24.

"One of the key tasks of the enemy is to humiliate us, Ukrainians, to devalue our capabilities, our heroes, to spread despair, fear, to spread conflicts...Therefore, it is important never, for a single moment, to give in to this enemy pressure, not to wind oneself up, not to show weakness," he said.

Reuters, citing a document published by the Kyiv military administration, reported Monday that local authorities had prohibited large public events, rallies and other holiday gatherings from Monday until Thursday in anticipation of potential Russian attacks.

Even before the capital city's celebrations were forbidden, authorities were warning that the upcoming Ukrainian Independence Day festivities could be struck with tragedy. Ukrainian intelligence released last week said that there was a threat of "massive shelling" from Russia on August 24.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Defense Ministry also issued a report last week alleging that Russian forces are planning to display captured Ukrainian soldiers in iron cages during a "show trial" on Ukraine's Independence Day.

The report said that event will take place in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol, where the Mariupol Chamber Philharmonic is being "urgently remodeled" in preparation for the August 24 display. It also included pictures of what appeared to be partially-constructed cages on a stage.

Newsweek was not able to independently confirm Russia's alleged plans for the Ukrainian Independence Day display at the time.

Zelensky warned Russia against going forward with the Mariupol "show trial" in an address Monday.

"No matter what the occupiers are thinking, no matter what they are planning, the reaction of our state will be absolutely clear," he said. "If this despicable show trial takes place, if our people are brought into this scenery in violation of all agreements [and] all international rules, if there is abuse...This will be the line beyond which any negotiations are impossible."

The holiday, which will take place exactly six months after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, commemorates the day when Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

In addition to the celebration ban in Kyiv, other cities are reportedly imposing restrictions and taking extra precautions.

In Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine, there will be a 4 p.m. to 7 a.m. overnight curfew from Tuesday to Thursday, Reuters reported. Authorities in Mykolaiv also encouraged city residents to refrain from gathering in large groups and planned a precautionary work-from-home order on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Newsweek reached out to Russia's Defense Ministry and Ukraine's Foreign Ministry for comment.