Pro-Moscow rebel fighters wave and fire shots into the air while parading their stronghold city of Donetsk, Ukraine on August 2 to celebrate Paratroopers' Day. Paratroopers Day', once observed by the Soviet Union and now Russia, has been celebrated since August 2, 1930 in memory of a parachute subdivision of 12 soldiers that landed in the fields near Voronezh, Russia during World War II. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Fighters of the Patriotic Forces of Donbass parade the city to the sounds of Soviet-era patriotic songs and car horns in Donetsk, east Ukraine on August 2. Around a dozen vehicles armored vehicles, jeeps and trucks drove in the parade. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Rebel fighters wave during the parade to celebrate Paratroopers' Day as battles with the Ukrainian army continue on August 2 in Donetsk, Ukraine. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

A rebel fighter talks with a senior ex-paratrooper in front of the Monument to Liberators of Donbass on August 2 in Donetsk, Ukraine. The monument was erected to commemorate military units that liberated the region during World War II. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

The senior ex-paratrooper leads a procession of fighters to the monument with a bouquet of white roses on August 2 in Donetsk, Ukraine. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

The senior ex-paratrooper lays a bouquet of roses on a monument during Paratroopers' Day on August 2 in Donetsk, Ukraine. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

A rebel fighter waves from inside a vehicle while holding a gun on August 2 in Donetsk, Ukraine. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

A 15-year-old rebel commander (middle) sits in a vehicle during a parade on August 2 in Donetsk, Ukraine. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Rebel fighters parade the streets during a celebration for Paratroopers' Day on August 2 in Donetsk, Ukraine. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Photo: Cui Meng/GT