KYIV, Ukraine — A somber atmosphere pervades Ukraine’s 33rd Independence Day Saturday, as the nation’s war against Russia’s aggression reaches a 30-month milestone. No fireworks, parades or concerts are planned and instead Ukrainians will mark the day with commemorations for civilians and soldiers killed in the war.
Ukrainians have flooded social media with messages of gratitude and support, greeting each other and thanking the soldiers on the front lines. In the outpouring of unity, there’s a shared acknowledgment that the two-and-a-half years have been tough, with fatigue increasingly setting in.
“Independence is the silence we experience when we lose our people,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said to the nation. “Independence descends into the shelter during an air raid, only to endure and rise again and again to tell the enemy: You will achieve nothing.”
Zelenskyy pointed out that the war started by Russia has now spread to its own territory. “Those who seek to sow evil on our land will reap its fruits on their own soil,” he said, referring to Ukraine’s incursion earlier this month into Russia’s Kursk region.
The president symbolically chose to record his address in the northeastern town of Sumy, just a few kilometers (miles) from the Russian border, where Ukrainian forces crossed into Russia on August 6.
“913 days ago, Russia launched its war against us, partly through Sumy region,” Zelenskyy said. “They violated not only sovereign borders but also the boundaries of cruelty and common sense, driven by an insatiable desire to destroy us.”
Ukraine’s surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, gave the war a startling turn, adding a new front to the conflict to counter Russia’s grinding advances in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region. Ukraine quickly seized considerable Russian territory, including scores of small towns, and captured hundreds of Russian soldiers, moves that may influence the war’s trajectory.
“And those who sought to turn our lands into a buffer zone should now worry that their own country doesn’t become a buffer federation,” he said. “This is how independence responds.”
Ukraine’s military claims to hold 1,200 square kilometers (480 square miles) of Russian territory in Kursk, and in the past week it has also launched drone attacks that have struck strategic bridges and Russian airfields and drone bases.
Even as Ukraine presses its offensive into Russia, however, it is also evacuating residents from Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, as Russian forces are now 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the strategic city.
Residents of Pokrovsk, once a city of 60,000, on Friday registered for evacuation at a central school and then, carrying bundles of belongings, boarded trains to take them to areas further from the conflict.
Also on Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the capital, Kyiv. After hugging Zelenskyy, Modi offered “as a friend” to help bring peace to Ukraine. The Indian leader’s visit, although brief, raised hopes among many in the war-battered country that he will help pave the way for an Indian role in peace mediation.
Ukraine celebrated its 33rd Independence Day on August 24th, 2021, amidst ongoing conflict with Russia that has been ongoing for several years. The day marked the anniversary of Ukraine’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, and was a time for reflection on the country’s past struggles and achievements.
The celebrations were bittersweet, as Ukraine continues to face challenges from Russian aggression in the form of ongoing military conflict in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. The conflict, which began in 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea, has resulted in thousands of deaths and has displaced millions of people.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Ukrainians came together to celebrate their independence with parades, concerts, and other festivities. President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, emphasizing the importance of unity and resilience in the face of adversity.
In his speech, Zelensky acknowledged the sacrifices made by Ukrainian soldiers and civilians in the ongoing conflict with Russia. He also called for continued support from the international community in Ukraine’s efforts to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The celebrations also highlighted Ukraine’s progress in recent years, with the country making strides in areas such as economic reform, anti-corruption efforts, and European integration. Ukraine has also received support from Western countries, including the United States and European Union, in its efforts to counter Russian aggression.
However, the conflict with Russia remains a major challenge for Ukraine, with no clear end in sight. The ongoing fighting has taken a toll on the country’s economy and infrastructure, and has strained relations between Ukraine and Russia.
As Ukraine continues to navigate its path towards independence and sovereignty, it is clear that the country faces significant challenges. However, the spirit of resilience and determination displayed by Ukrainians on Independence Day serves as a reminder of the country’s strength and determination to overcome adversity.
