It has been 31 years since Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union and six months since Russia launched a war aimed at wresting that step away from Moscow’s control. The mood in the capital was somber. Thousands of civilians have been killed since the war began on February 24, Ukraine has acknowledged 9,000 military deaths and there is no hope that an end to the fighting is in sight. Oleksandra Mykolaivna, 68, walking her dogs in the suburbs of Kiev, said it would be a painful day. “Everyone feels under pressure. ONE [normal] public holiday is when everyone is happy and celebrating. How many people have died? And then there are these pictures of the injured.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told his fellow citizens that their country was reborn when Russia invaded and vowed to retake annexed Crimea and occupied territories in the east. Zelensky warns of Russian attacks on Ukraine’s independence day – video In a recorded speech, Zelensky said Ukraine no longer saw the war as ending when there was peace, but when Kyiv was victorious. “A new nation appeared in the world on February 24 at four in the morning. He was not born, but reborn. A nation that did not cry, scream or fear. One that didn’t run away. He did not quit. And I didn’t forget,” he said. The 44-year-old leader delivered his trademark speech in front of the central monument to Kiev’s independence from the Russian-controlled Soviet Union. “What is the end of war for us? We were talking about peace. Now we call victory,” he said. Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu claimed the slowdown in Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine was deliberate and driven by the need to reduce civilian casualties. Shoigu said: “Everything is being done to avoid civilian casualties. Of course, that slows down the tempo of the attack, but we do it on purpose.” Zelensky had warned on the eve of the holiday that Ukraine could face “disgusting Russian provocations” and urged citizens to take air strike warnings – often ignored by a population now scarred by the dangers of war – seriously. A man and a woman hold a child next to damaged Russian military equipment in central Kiev. Photo: Sergei Chuzavkov/Sopa Images/Rex/Shutterstock The US had urged its citizens to leave the country, although the embassy remained open and the ambassador, Bridget Brink, pledged commitment to the fight against Moscow. “I am in awe of the steadfast defense of our shared values. The United States will stand with you as long as it takes,” he said. That pledge is expected to be backed up later in the day by the announcement of a new $3 billion security aid package for Ukraine, the Associated Press reported. It will aim to help ensure the country’s medium- to long-term defense in what has become a bitter war of attrition. Zelensky also celebrated national unity and the country’s success in containing Russian forces that most analysts and politicians outside the country, both enemies and allies, had predicted would overwhelm Ukraine’s smaller army. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “We are fighting against the most terrible threat to our state and also at a time when we have achieved the greatest level of national unity,” Zelensky said. A display of damaged Russian tanks and other military equipment on the capital’s main street replaced the usual military parade in central Kiev, canceled amid fears such a symbolic day could see new attacks. The drones will fly a giant national flag over the capital, which is largely locked down with heightened security and people who have returned to their offices in the center being told to work from home. A boy waves a national flag in the center of Kyiv. Photo: Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters Alex Rodnyansky, an adviser to the president, said many civilians were trying to leave the city because of fears it could be targeted. Andriy Yusov, a senior intelligence official, said Russia and Vladimir Putin’s regime “are really obsessed with dates and symbols, so it would make sense to be on guard and be prepared for independence day.” There has been particular concern over how the Russian military is managing Europe’s largest nuclear plant, in Zaporizhzhia, which it seized in March, amid warnings it may be planning a dangerous move to disconnect it from Ukraine’s electricity grid. The UN nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday it could visit within days “if ongoing negotiations are successful”. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) wants to assess safety and security at the plant, which both sides accuse the other of bombing. There has been a show of international support, including visits to the capital by an alliance of European politicians. “Here in Kyiv we are in shelters after being woken up by the air raid siren,” British MP and former Conservative leadership candidate Tom Tugendhat tweeted. “I am in Kyiv with 30 representatives from all over Europe to show our support for Ukraine and stand against Putin’s illegal invasion.” Reuters contributed to this report
