Ukraine's Poroshenko strikes martial tone on independence day

Ukrainian T-64 tanks drive during Ukraine's Independence Day military parade in central Kiev, Ukraine, August 24, 2016. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine put on a show of military strength on independence day on Wednesday amid fresh tension with Russia over Crimea and President Petro Poroshenko said the country had to rely on its own might rather than international guarantees.

A march-past of army, navy and airforce units and hardware in the capital was intended to highlight the capability of Ukraine's military, which the government has had to overhaul since pro-Russian eastern separatists rose up against a new Western-backed leadership in 2014.