Ukraine says that six months after the invasion, Russian “shackles” are worse than missiles

Ukraine was “reborn” six months ago when Russia invaded, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday, marking 31 years of independence from the Moscow-controlled Soviet Union with a vow to drive Russian forces out completely.

After days of warnings that Moscow might use Ukraine’s Independence Day to launch more missile attacks on major cities, the second largest city, Kharkiv, was placed under curfew after months of bombardment.

The anniversary fell exactly six months after Russia had sent tens of thousands of soldiers into Ukraine. Even though Wednesday’s festivities were postponed, many people observed the day by donning embroidered shirts, which are a staple of the national wardrobe.

Zelenskiy said in an emotional speech to his countrymen that Russia’s attack had rekindled the spirit of the people.

“On February 24, at 4 a.m., a new nation appeared in the world. It was reborn, not actually born. A nation that did not cry, scream or cower in fear. one who didn’t run away. refused to give up. And didn’t forget, “He said.

The 44-year-old leader promised to retake the Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, as well as the occupied areas of eastern Ukraine while speaking in front of Kyiv’s main monument to independence while wearing his signature combat fatigues.

“We won’t enter into negotiations under the threat of a gun being pointed at our heads. For us, shackles are far more terrifying than missiles, airplanes, or tanks. Instead of trenches, use fetters “said he.

Later, he and his wife joined religious leaders from all of Ukraine’s major religions for a service at Kyiv’s St. Sophia cathedral.

After its troops were driven from Kyiv in the early weeks of the war, Russia has made few strides in Ukraine in recent months. On the front lines in the east, Ukrainian soldiers claimed that they were more motivated than their adversaries.

According to a soldier named Yevhen who declined to give his last name to Reuters, “all of our people are cheering for us.” “The entire nation is, as well as any other nations that assist us. Our will to win is stronger than theirs.”

In order to prevent civilian casualties, Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine has been purposefully slowed down, according to Sergei Shoigu, the country’s defence minister, speaking to a gathering of defence ministers in Uzbekistan.

WARNINGS
Zelenskiy issued a warning on Tuesday night about the potential for “repugnant Russian provocations,” and the Ukrainian military urged people to heed air raid warnings on Wednesday after learning of fresh air and missile attacks on civilian structures.

The war has destroyed cities, killed thousands of civilians, uprooted more than a third of Ukraine’s 41 million residents, and rocked the world economy. It is essentially at a standstill and there is no chance for peace talks anytime soon.

The head of NATO told Ukrainians they were an inspiration to the world as U.S. Vice President Joe Biden announced nearly $3 billion for weapons and equipment for Ukraine in the “biggest tranche of security assistance to date” from Washington.

“The support of NATO is guaranteed. For however long it takes, “Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of NATO, stated in a video message.

Along with taking control of Crimea, Russian forces have also taken control of significant portions of the southern Black Sea and Sea of Azov coastlines, as well as the eastern Donbas region, which includes the provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk.

American officials have issued warnings about potential future Russian attacks on government and civilian infrastructure.

The military of Ukraine reported this week that nearly 9,000 of its soldiers have perished in the conflict. The invasion, according to Kyiv, was an unprovoked act of imperial aggression.

Although Russia has not made public its casualties, U.S. intelligence estimates that 15,000 people died in what Moscow describes as an operation that was required due to security threats. Those who are thought to cast doubt on its armed forces may face legal action.

In a video released by the state-run news agency RIA on Wednesday, opposition politician Yevgeny Roizman of Russia was seen being detained at his residence. “In essence, I just called it a war. I’m done now “As he was led away, he said.

In the parts of Ukraine it controls, Moscow has installed officials; however, some of them have been murdered. On Wednesday, a car bomb in the Russian-controlled portion of the Zaporizhzhia region killed the mayor of the town of Mykhailivka.

After a failed putsch by Communist hardliners in Moscow, Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union in August 1991. In a referendum held in December of that same year, an overwhelming majority of the country’s citizens supported independence.

HOPES FOR NUCLEAR PLANT
The largest nuclear power plant in Europe, located in southern Ukraine and occupied by Russia, has been targeted by both sides with missile and artillery fire, sparking fears of a nuclear disaster.

Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, stated that if talks were successful, the U.N. nuclear watchdog hoped to obtain access within days. The demilitarisation of the area has been demanded by the UN.

In recent months, Ukraine appears to have struck deeply behind the front lines, destroying ammunition depots and command posts, with the assistance of advanced U.S. missile systems.

Russian officials reported that on Tuesday, ammunition kept in the south, close to the border with Ukraine, spontaneously caught fire at a military facility.

The fire was attributed to hot weather by Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the Belgorod region, drawing mockery from Ukraine’s defence ministry on social media.

The article stated that smoking, winter, spring, summer, and autumn were the five primary causes of sudden explosions in Russia.