In a stirring display of national resolve, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky marked the country's 32nd Independence Day with a powerful vow to defeat the Russian invasion, even as Moscow launched a brutal wave of attacks on civilian targets.
The sombre anniversary, observed under martial law, was marred by a deadly Russian missile strike on a railway station in the city of Chaplyne, in the central Dnipropetrovsk region. The attack, which hit a train and residential buildings, resulted in the tragic deaths of at least six people, including an 11-year-old boy, with numerous others wounded.
A Day of Defiance and Mourning
President Zelensky, addressing the nation, confirmed the casualties and promised a forceful response. "We will definitely make the occupiers answer for everything they have done," he declared. His speech, delivered from Kyiv's iconic Sophia Square, was a potent symbol of defiance, directly challenging Russian President Vladimir Putin's ambitions.
The day's events underscored the grim reality of the six-month-long conflict. Western intelligence had warned that Russia might use the symbolic date to escalate its offensive, leading to heightened security and calls for citizens to remain vigilant.
International Condemnation and Solidarity
The attack drew immediate and widespread condemnation from global leaders. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in his own Independence Day message, praised Ukraine's "incredible heroism and sacrifice" and reaffirmed Britain's unwavering support.
This sentiment was echoed by US President Joe Biden, who announced a significant new military aid package for Ukraine worth nearly $3 billion, the largest single installment to date. This long-term assistance is designed to bolster Ukraine's defence capabilities for years to come.
As Ukraine mourns its losses, the nation's spirit remains unbroken. President Zelensky's closing words resonated with a promise not just of victory, but of a reckoning: "A day will come when we will say something completely different. That it is finished. We have won."
