Ukraine: In an emotional speech to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the country's independence, President Volodymyr Zelensky assured the Ukrainian people that Ukraine was reborn after Russia's invasion of Russia on February 24, and that it would fight against Crimea and other occupied territories in the east. will regain.
Zelensky said in a recorded speech that Ukraine no longer saw the war end in times of peace, but when Kyiv had actually emerged victorious at the six-month mark of Russia's invasion.
Zelensky declared that his nation would make "no concessions or compromises" and would fight the Russian invasion "to the end".
"We only care about our land; we don't care how big your army is. Until the very end, we will fight for it," Zelensky said.
It's been six months and we're still going strong. Though it is difficult, we are fighting for our future, he said, clenching his fist.
"Every new day is an incentive to keep trying. After such a long journey, we have no right to look back," he said.
He continued with reference to Russia, "We will not attempt to compromise with terrorists."
Ukraine is a whole country for us. All 25 sectors, without compromise or concession.
Officials urged people to take air strike warnings seriously as Zelensky warned late Tuesday about the potential for "Russian provocation".
In a speech that evening, Zelensky said, "We are fighting against the most terrible threat to our state and at a time when we have achieved the greatest level of national unity.
Earlier on Tuesday, he announced that in front of a virtual summit on Crimea, attended by representatives of about 60 states and international organizations, without first consulting with other countries, he announced any measures needed to expel Russian forces from the Kyiv peninsula. instrument will be used.
The war has destroyed cities, killed thousands of civilians, uprooted more than a third of Ukraine's 41 million civilians, and rocked world markets. It is essentially at a standstill and there is no chance of peace talks anytime soon.
Russia has extended its control over areas to the south, such as the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov coasts, as well as parts of the eastern Donbass region, which includes Luhansk and Donetsk provinces, in addition to Crimea, which it occupied. 2014.
According to the Ukrainian military, about 9,000 soldiers have been killed in the conflict so far.
US intelligence estimates what Moscow called a "special military operation" to "deny" Ukraine, which killed 15,000 people, although Russia has not made its own casualties public. The invasion, according to Kyiv, was an unprovoked act of imperial aggression.
After the failed coup in Moscow, Ukraine declared its independence in a referendum in August 1991, with an overwhelming majority of voters in favor.
nuclear power plant concerns
International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi said the UN nuclear watchdog hopes to gain access to the Russian-held Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine within days.
The largest plant in Europe has been targeted by both sides for dangerously passing artillery and missiles, raising fears of a nuclear disaster.
In a statement on Tuesday, Grossi said, "I continue to conduct very active and in-depth consultations with all parties. If the ongoing negotiations are successful, the mission should take place within the next few days."
Soon after the offensive began, pro-Moscow forces took control of the plant, but Ukrainian technicians continued to operate it. Demilitarization of the region has been demanded by the United Nations.
On Tuesday, Russia claimed that Ukraine had attacked the plant with guided munitions, a drone and artillery fire. Ukraine's UN ambassador Sergei Kislitsia denied the claim.
At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in New York called by Russia, Kyslytsya said, "Anyone who is not the least bit aware can imagine that Ukraine is at tremendous risk of nuclear catastrophe and on its own territory." One would target a nuclear power plant."
more aid from Washington
A US official said the country, which has already provided US$10.6 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, would soon announce a new package worth around US$3 billion.
In recent months, Ukraine has assisted by striking deep behind the front lines, removing command posts and ammunition depots.
Ammunition stored in southern Russia near the border with Ukraine spontaneously burned in the latest mysterious fire at a Russian military facility on Tuesday, Russian officials said.
The cause of the fire was attributed to hot weather by the governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, who was mocking Ukraine.
Ukraine's Defense Ministry tweeted, "We will find out in a few months if the cold may have caused the Russian ammunition to explode."
The five main factors contributing to the sudden eruption in Russia are smoking, winter, spring, summer and autumnn.
Zelensky warns against heavy Russian shelling on Independence Day
