KIEV, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko officially launched a major exhibition of military hardware here Wednesday, marking Ukraine's upcoming Independence Day.
"Now we are starting the program of military-technical modernization of the army, we must bring our weapons to the level of the 21st century," Poroshenko said while addressing the ceremony to kick off the event.
The open-air exhibition, which is titled "The Invincible Power," features 70 units of Ukraine-made military equipment and weaponry, including 25 newly-developed samples.
Different kinds of infantry fighting vehicles, multi-purpose vehicles, tanks and rocket launchers are on display at the exposition between the Independence Square and the European Square.
The highlights of the exhibition are the modernized T-72AMT tank with enhanced protection, the multiple-launch rocket system Verba with automated fire control and the multi-purpose armored personnel carrier Triton with protection from landmines.
Ukraine demonstrates its military might amid an armed confrontation between government troops and pro-independence insurgents in eastern regions, which has been underway since April 2014.
According to official estimates, more than 10,000 people, including 2,700 civilians, were killed and about 24,000 others wounded in the violence.
After the five-day exhibition, all the displayed military equipment will be sent to the conflict area in eastern Ukraine.
On Aug. 24, Ukraine will celebrate the 26th anniversary of its independence from the former Soviet Union with a military parade in Khreschatyk Street, involving 4,500 soldiers from Ukraine and 231 servicemen from 10 foreign countries.
