DrToday, Wednesday, Ukraine celebrates its independence – at exactly the same time that six months have passed since the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine on the 24th of February. All public gatherings were banned in the capital, Kyiv, and a curfew was imposed in Kharkiv, the second largest city in northeastern Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Independence Day is an important date for Ukrainians – „and therefore unfortunately for our enemy as well”. Tension prevailed in Kyiv due to fears of Russian missile attacks on major cities. Silinsky called on residents to abide by the curfew and to reach safety in the event of an air alert. „Remember, we all have to win together,” he said.
31 years ago, on August 24, 1991, the then Ukrainian Soviet Republic declared its independence after a failed coup by conservative forces against General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev.
Silinsky described the defensive struggle against Russian aggression in military terms. With the annexation of Crimea in 2014, the Russians decided to occupy his country, he told reporters at the conclusion of the so-called Crimean Platform. “When they made this decision in 2014, not only did the world hit them in the face, so they kept doing it again and again. But we will kick them in the face.” With its attacks and violent actions, Russia is showing that it does not want to negotiate.
All developments in the live broadcast tape:
08:30 – London: The war against Ukraine is costly and destructive
Britain gave Russia a bad report six months after the war. „In practical terms, Russia suffers from a shortage of ammunition, vehicles and personnel,” the Ministry of Defense in London said, citing intelligence. Morale is poor in many areas and the military is severely restricted. Russia’s diplomatic strength has waned and long-term economic prospects are bleak. „The Donbass offensive is making little progress, and Russia expects a massive Ukrainian counter-offensive,” the statement said. British conclusion: „After six months, the Russian war has proven costly and strategically destructive.”
08:10 – Melnik praises Germany
Six months after the outbreak of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the outgoing Ukrainian ambassador to Berlin, Andrei Melnik, praised German support for his country. „Germany made a quantum leap in these six months of the war,” Melnik said in ZDF „Morgenmagazin”.
“When I think we discussed helmets at the beginning, today Germany also supplies heavy weapons, which is a good thing,” Melnik said. Unfortunately, negotiations and peace can only be achieved through military successes on the part of Kyiv.
In the interview, Melnik did not address his earlier harsh criticism of Berlin and his sometimes insulting statements to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). He only said he was committed to the fact that German politics had been „shaken” by his „dream that everything was fine”. Germany now also understands that everything must be done to help Ukraine.
07:22 – Stoltenberg announces more arms deliveries
Six months after the start of the Ukraine war, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg is urging defense alliance member states to provide Kyiv with more weapons. “I appeal to all NATO allies to support Ukraine with weapons more quickly than before. Ukraine has the will to defend itself. But the Ukrainian armed forces also need the means to do that, and we have the means. NATO allies must urgently do more so that Ukraine can survive as an independent sovereign state.”
06:16 – Lampsdorff warns of war fatigue
Six months after the start of Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine, the FDP’s foreign policy expert, Alexander Graf Lampsdorff, warned that the West was losing interest in the country and becoming war-weary. „This can happen,” says Lampsdorf of the „Augsburger Allgemeine.” „But that shouldn’t happen.”
The FDP politician said that the basic values of Germany are also defended in Ukraine: a life of security and prosperity, non-violence, peaceful coexistence of peoples, respect for borders. Lampsdorf said that Russia is ignoring all international rules – and this also affects Germany. „Very hardly any other country is as dependent on adherence to the rules of international coexistence as Germany.”
5:12 a.m. – Kremlin critics arrested in Russia
Russian Kremlin critic and former mayor of Yekaterinburg, Yevgeny Ruisman, has been arrested for his statements about the war in Ukraine, the TASS news agency reported. The Russian news agency TASS, citing the security services, reported that he was under investigation for „defaming the reputation of the Russian army.” Russia has so far prosecuted many activists who described or criticized Russia’s actions as war.
12:20 a.m. – The United States wants to provide another $3 billion in military aid
The United States will provide Ukraine with military aid amounting to another three billion dollars (about three billion euros). The White House’s official announcement on Wednesday, Ukraine’s Independence Day, is expected to come exactly six months after Russia’s war of aggression against the country began, a US official said Tuesday. The money can be used for weapons and training, among other things.
11:03 pm – Ukraine: It will never attack its nuclear power plant
Ukraine has denied Russia’s accusations of attacking its Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. “No one could imagine that Ukraine would attack a nuclear power plant, which is facing a great danger of a nuclear catastrophe and is located on its territory,” Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations, Serhiy Kiselesia, said at one of the meetings of the UN Security Council. in New York. Russia makes the issue of nuclear safety a „farce, a circus.”
The Ukrainian nuclear power plant Zaporizhia, which was occupied by Russian forces, is still operating despite the bombing a few days ago (file photo)
Source: dpa / Uncredited
According to its own statements, Russia had earlier sent footage of the alleged Ukrainian bombing of the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhia to the most important bodies of the United Nations.
10:36 pm – Ukraine thanks Germany for the promised weapons
Ukraine is grateful for the €500 million arms delivery announced by Chancellor Olaf Schultz. „We are grateful for this commitment,” outgoing Ukrainian ambassador Andrei Melnik told ZDF, according to the editorial.
However, it is about „weapons that will not be available until next year”. Melnyk spoke about the speedy delivery of the previously announced weapons. At the moment, “almost every day before winter” his country has to show: “We can win this war. Only then is there a chance for negotiations and a lasting peace.”
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