Ukraine’s capital turned electric as thousands gathered in Kyiv to celebrate Independence Day, but this year’s festivities were marked by high tensions. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took the stage with a powerful message: Ukraine will keep fighting for a “just peace” despite ongoing threats. 🇺🇦✨
Just hours before the celebrations, Ukrainian forces launched a drone strike on Russia’s Kursk nuclear plant, according to Russian officials. The attack forced a sharp drop in the reactor’s capacity and sparked a fire at the Ust-Luga fuel export terminal. Regional acting governor Alexander Khinshtein warned that the incident poses serious nuclear safety risks. 💥☢️
On the streets of Kyiv, guests like Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg joined the ceremonies. In a letter, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed unwavering support for Ukraine’s future as an independent state. 🤝📜
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Western nations of trying to “block” peace talks and blamed Ukraine for disrupting a process allegedly laid out by presidents Putin and Trump—claims Kyiv rejects. 📣
Looking ahead, Zelenskyy said he’s ready to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, but only once allies guarantee Ukraine’s security against future attacks. Norway has already pledged nearly 7 billion crowns in air defense systems, while Moscow insists any European troop presence in Ukraine is “absolutely unacceptable.” 🛡️
As night fell, the Russian Defense Ministry announced another strike—this time targeting Ukrainian missile storage sites and a drone workshop. The facility stored “Sapsan” operational-tactical missiles and served as a temporary base for several armed formations. 🔥
Through fireworks or firestorms, Ukraine’s resolve was clear: this Independence Day was more than a celebration—it was a statement of resilience. 🌟
Reference(s):
Ukraine marks Independence Day after drone hits Russian nuclear plant
cgtn.com
