On Aug. 24, 2021, Ukraine’s military finest paraded through the streets of Kyiv in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the country’s Independence Day. It would be the last time such an event was held, with Russia’s full-scale invasion meaning everything on display would be put to the test, with the fate of the entire country resting on the shoulders of those who took part. Ukraine successfully resisted the Kremlin’s original plans – what Russian President Vladimir Putin envisaged as a swift campaign to enter Kyiv turned into a grinding war now well into its third year. In order to defend it…