In Kyiv’s Independence Square on Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed thousands of young global citizens, business leaders, and changemakers gathered to mark Ukraine’s 32nd Independence Day. With the country’s skyline once again lit by celebrations, Zelenskyy’s message was clear: Ukraine will continue to fight for "a just peace."
His speech came against a backdrop of renewed tension. Earlier that day, Ukrainian forces launched a drone strike on Russia’s Kursk nuclear plant, forcing a sharp drop in one reactor’s capacity. At the same time, a fire broke out at the Ust-Luga fuel export terminal, sending plumes of smoke into the air and stoking concerns about nuclear safety. Regional acting governor Alexander Khinshtein warned of the risks, noting that any threat to nuclear facilities has global implications.
International support poured in as Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg joined the festivities, underscoring Western solidarity. In a letter read aloud at the ceremony, former U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed confidence in Ukraine’s future as an independent state.
On the diplomatic front, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov blamed Western powers for blocking peace talks and accused Ukrainian authorities of undermining a process "laid down by presidents Putin and Trump." Meanwhile, Zelenskyy signaled he’s open to meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, but only once his allies agree on binding security guarantees to deter future aggression.
Norway answered the call for support, pledging 7 billion Norwegian crowns (about $696 million) worth of air defense systems to bolster Ukraine’s front line. Moscow, however, dismissed discussions of third-party guarantees as "absolutely unacceptable" and warned against European troop deployments on Ukrainian soil.
Later on Sunday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported its forces struck a storage site for "Sapsan" operational-tactical missiles and a drone workshop in 146 locations used by Ukrainian formations. The rapid-fire exchange highlights the evolving nature of the conflict, where drones and counterdrone technologies are rewriting the rules of engagement.
For travelers, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts, Ukraine’s Independence Day amid renewed strikes is a stark reminder that the digital age of warfare and diplomacy are intertwined. As drones and cyber tools reshape the battlefield, the world awaits whether these tensions can transform into a genuine roadmap toward a stable and just peace.
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Ukraine marks Independence Day after drone hits Russian nuclear plant
cgtn.com
