Ukraine today celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of its independence. However, six months after the start of the Russian invasion of the country, the holiday is expected to pass in a tense atmosphere. “We must be aware that disgusting Russian provocations and brutal bombings are possible tomorrow,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Tuesday evening. This morning, according to local authorities, explosions sounded in several cities.
Authorities say the explosions were heard in Kharkiv in the northeast and in Zaporizhzhya and Dnipro in the center of the country. The US embassy in Kiev also warned on Tuesday morning that Russia could step up its bombing campaign in the coming days. The embassy then advised American nationals to leave the country as soon as possible.
Festivities canceled
Due to the risk of war violence, the Ukrainian holiday will not go as usual. In Kharkiv, the governor has imposed a curfew from Tuesday evening to Thursday morning and in Mikolayiv people are forced to work from home as much as possible. In Kiev, authorities have banned any public gathering from Monday to Thursday. The capital is far from the front lines and has hardly been under fire in recent months, but the Ukrainian army thinks there is a chance of air strikes today.
Last year, a military parade was held in Kiev, but it has also been canceled. Last weekend, a foretaste was already taken in the capital by displaying broken Russian tanks on the streets.
According to President Zelensky, it is also possible that Russia will open a trial against Ukrainian prisoners of war just today. More specifically, it would be a public trial against soldiers who fought in the southeastern city of Mariupol. According to Zelensky, Russia would “want to humiliate” Ukraine in this way. The president said he had discussed all possible scenarios with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Six months of war
On August 24, Ukraine celebrates the secession from the Soviet Union in 1991. However, this year the day also marks half a year of war with Russia. For example, on February 24, Moscow launched an invasion that has already claimed tens of thousands of deaths and massive material damage.
Since the withdrawal of the Russian forces from the Kiev area, the fighting has concentrated in the east, where the Russians are slowly gaining ground. Ukraine claims to be launching a counter-offensive in the south, but it is moving very slowly. Meanwhile, Russia regularly targets other Ukrainian cities with bombardments.
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