Vintage photos show what Kyiv looked like before Russia's assault on Ukraine's glittering capital

Jake EpsteinDec 23, 2022, 00:16 IST

Ukrainians attend the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in front of the Saint Sophia's Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine, December 19, 2016.Photo by Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images

When Putin declared war on Ukraine, he expected to quickly seize the country's capital, Kyiv.
But after over 10 months of war, the city of nearly 3 million people remains in Ukrainian hands.

Kyiv is widely believed to have been established over 1,500 years ago in the late 400s. Legend tells of three brothers — Kyi, Shchek, and Khoryv — who led a tribe of East Slavs to the region.

A picture shows one of the fountains of Kyiv's Independence Square with statues of legendary brothers Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv.SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images

Source: Britannica

Kyiv is widely believed to have been established over 1,500 years ago in the late 400s. Legend tells of three brothers — Kyi, Shchek, and Khoryv — who led a tribe of East Slavs to the region.

During the ninth century, the city was captured and became the capital of the first East Slavic state called Kyivan Rus.

Oleg of Novgorod, or Oleg the Wise, captured Kyiv in the late 9th century.Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images

Source: Britannica

Throughout the 10th and 11th centuries, Kyivan Rus was the largest and most powerful state in Europe.

Meeting of Kyivan princes.Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images

Source: Britannica, CIA

In the 11th century, the first foundations for the Saint Sophia Cathedral were laid. It took years to complete.

The Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine, seen around 1895Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Source: The Museum of St. Sophia Cathedral

The cathedral is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The golden domes of St. Sophia's Cathedral stand in the city center on October 2, 2019 in Kiev, Ukraine.Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Source: UNESCO

But Kyiv's power declined by the late 12th century, as it was weakened by internal struggles, and later captured and destroyed by the Mongols.

Polish Duke Boleslaw I Chrobry "The Brace" entering a conquered Kyiv.Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images

Source: Britannica, CIA

During the mid-1300s, Kyiv became a part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. By the 17th century, Ukrainian nationalism was beginning to rise.

The Arrival of Byzantine Bishop in Kievan Rus.Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images

Source: Britannica, CIA

The Russian Empire took control of Kyiv through the 1686 Treaty of Eternal Peace with Poland, and around 100 years later, most Ukrainian territory — including Kyiv — was part of the empire.

A view of Kyiv in the 1800s.Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images

Source: Britannica, CIA

The Russian Empire took control of Kyiv through the 1686 Treaty of Eternal Peace with Poland, and around 100 years later, most Ukrainian territory — including Kyiv — was part of the empire.

Source: Britannica, CIA

In the mid-1700s, Empress Elizabeth of Russia ordered the construction of the baroque Mariinsky Palace, which would later serve as the residence for presidents.

The Mariinsky Palace was designed by architect Bartolomeo Francesco RastrelliDeAgostini/Getty Images

Source: Kyiv Post

Kyiv soon became a hub for Ukrainian nationalism.

Kyiv in 1839.Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images

Source: Britannica

The city's economic power also grew as Kyiv's industry spread in the coming decades.

A market in Kyiv in 1869Hulton-Deutsch/Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis via Getty Images

Source: Britannica

Grain was a significant export for Kyiv, which soon became connected to Moscow and Odessa by rail, allowing more growth. The city also saw the rise of textile production, tobacco processing, distilling, brewing, and leather making.

A street in Kyiv during the late 1800s or early 1900s.Sovfoto/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Source: Britannica

Grain was a significant export for Kyiv, which soon became connected to Moscow and Odessa by rail, allowing more growth. The city also saw the rise of textile production, tobacco processing, distilling, brewing, and leather making.

After the 1917 Russian revolution, Ukraine became an independent state for just a few years with Kyiv as its capital. The city withstood a short German occupation during World War I before it eventually became the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, part of the Soviet Union.

Red guard soldiers of Kyiv in 1918.Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Source: Britannica, CIA

After the 1917 Russian revolution, Ukraine became an independent state for just a few years with Kyiv as its capital. The city withstood a short German occupation during World War I before it eventually became the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, part of the Soviet Union.

Source: Britannica, CIA

As a Soviet state, Ukraine — and Kyiv — endured famine and devastation during World War II.

Street fights in Kyiv, Ukraine, during World War II in November 1943.Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Source: CIA

Ukraine remained a Soviet state until it gained its independence in 1991, and established diplomatic relations with the US. But the country remained on the frontlines of a struggle between pro-European Western values, and those of Russia to the east.

Ukrainians brandish flags and celebrate the independence of Ukraine in front of the Communist Party's central committee headquarters on August, 25, 1991, in Kyiv.ANATOLY SAPRONENKOV/AFP via Getty Images

Source: State Department

Ukraine remained a Soviet state until it gained its independence in 1991, and established diplomatic relations with the US. But the country remained on the frontlines of a struggle between pro-European Western values, and those of Russia to the east.

In 2004, demonstrators took to the streets in Kyiv to protest against a rigged presidential election. A new, internationally monitored vote brought pro-West Viktor Yushchenko to power.

Riot police members are changing shift with their fresh colleagues in the Presidential compound during the "Orange Revolution" in Kyiv.MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP via Getty Images

Source: CIA

In 2004, demonstrators took to the streets in Kyiv to protest against a rigged presidential election. A new, internationally monitored vote brought pro-West Viktor Yushchenko to power.

In 2013, police in Kyiv under pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych led a violent crackdown against protesters who opposed his rule.

Anti-government protest in Kyiv.NurPhoto/Corbis via Getty Images

Source: CIA

After months of demonstrations, pro-West Petro Poroshenko became Ukraine's president in 2014, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy succeeded him five years later.

A view of the Dnieper River in Kyiv in 2019.Artur Abramiv/Getty Images

Source: CIA

Before entering politics and becoming the leader of Ukraine, Zelenskyy was a comedian and TV star. As president, he enjoyed solid popularity.

Comedian Volodymyr Zelenskyy plays ping pong with a journalist at his election night gathering on March 31, 2019 in Kyiv, Ukraine.Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images

Source: Insider, The Wilson Center

Kyiv has a moderate climate, and the city is defined by high-rise buildings, church spires, and golden domes. It also held one of Ukraine's many Christmas markets.

People visit a Christmas fair in the center of the Ukrainian capital of Kiev during a frosty winter evening on December 21, 2021.SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images

Source: Britannica, Visit Ukraine

Kyiv has numerous historic and tourist attractions, like St. Sophia's Cathedral or the Great Patriotic War Museum. Locals could pass the time by watching soccer, or visiting one of the city's many art museums.

Players of Dynamo Kiev pose prior UEFA Europa League, Group E, football match against AZ Alkmaar on November 4, 2010.SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images

Source: Lonely Planet, Visit Kyiv Ukraine

Kyiv has numerous historic and tourist attractions, like St. Sophia's Cathedral or the Great Patriotic War Museum. Locals could pass the time by watching soccer, or visiting one of the city's many art museums.

Source: Lonely Planet, Visit Kyiv Ukraine

Kyiv is still a major administrative hub and industrial center, with lots of manufacturing factories. The population grew to 3 million by 2022.

A heart-like mural is seen as an element of the full height painted wall of the block downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, October 9, 2018.Photo by Sergii Kharchenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Sources: Britannica, CIA

But on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launching an assault on Kyiv. He expected the city to fall within days.

Inhabitants of Kyiv, Ukraine, leave the city following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, on February 24, 2022.Pierre Crom/Getty Images

Source: Insider

But on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launching an assault on Kyiv. He expected the city to fall within days.

Source: Insider

Over 300 days later, Kyiv has withstood waves of missile and drone attacks — but remains in Ukrainian hands.

Firefighters work after a drone attack on buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine, Oct. 17, 2022.AP Photo/Roman Hrytsyna, File

Source: Insider

A 33-foot Jewish menorah lit up Berlin's 234-year-old Brandenburg Gate, which was once used as a symbol of Nazi power

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Vintage photos show what Kyiv looked like before Russia's assault on Ukraine's glittering capital

Kyiv is widely believed to have been established over 1,500 years ago in the late 400s. Legend tells of three brothers — Kyi, Shchek, and Khoryv — who led a tribe of East Slavs to the region.

During the ninth century, the city was captured and became the capital of the first East Slavic state called Kyivan Rus.

Throughout the 10th and 11th centuries, Kyivan Rus was the largest and most powerful state in Europe.

In the 11th century, the first foundations for the Saint Sophia Cathedral were laid. It took years to complete.

The cathedral is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

But Kyiv's power declined by the late 12th century, as it was weakened by internal struggles, and later captured and destroyed by the Mongols.

During the mid-1300s, Kyiv became a part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. By the 17th century, Ukrainian nationalism was beginning to rise.

The Russian Empire took control of Kyiv through the 1686 Treaty of Eternal Peace with Poland, and around 100 years later, most Ukrainian territory — including Kyiv — was part of the empire.

In the mid-1700s, Empress Elizabeth of Russia ordered the construction of the baroque Mariinsky Palace, which would later serve as the residence for presidents.

Kyiv soon became a hub for Ukrainian nationalism.

The city's economic power also grew as Kyiv's industry spread in the coming decades.

Grain was a significant export for Kyiv, which soon became connected to Moscow and Odessa by rail, allowing more growth. The city also saw the rise of textile production, tobacco processing, distilling, brewing, and leather making.

After the 1917 Russian revolution, Ukraine became an independent state for just a few years with Kyiv as its capital. The city withstood a short German occupation during World War I before it eventually became the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, part of the Soviet Union.

As a Soviet state, Ukraine — and Kyiv — endured famine and devastation during World War II.

Ukraine remained a Soviet state until it gained its independence in 1991, and established diplomatic relations with the US. But the country remained on the frontlines of a struggle between pro-European Western values, and those of Russia to the east.

In 2004, demonstrators took to the streets in Kyiv to protest against a rigged presidential election. A new, internationally monitored vote brought pro-West Viktor Yushchenko to power.

In 2013, police in Kyiv under pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych led a violent crackdown against protesters who opposed his rule.

After months of demonstrations, pro-West Petro Poroshenko became Ukraine's president in 2014, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy succeeded him five years later.

Before entering politics and becoming the leader of Ukraine, Zelenskyy was a comedian and TV star. As president, he enjoyed solid popularity.

Kyiv has a moderate climate, and the city is defined by high-rise buildings, church spires, and golden domes. It also held one of Ukraine's many Christmas markets.

Kyiv has numerous historic and tourist attractions, like St. Sophia's Cathedral or the Great Patriotic War Museum. Locals could pass the time by watching soccer, or visiting one of the city's many art museums.

Kyiv is still a major administrative hub and industrial center, with lots of manufacturing factories. The population grew to 3 million by 2022.

But on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launching an assault on Kyiv. He expected the city to fall within days.

Over 300 days later, Kyiv has withstood waves of missile and drone attacks — but remains in Ukrainian hands.