Selensky warns of particular Russian brutality on Independence Day – air battle for Crimea

Kyiv Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called on his compatriots to unite in view of the nearly half-year fight against the Russian invasion. “We have to fight for Ukraine’s victory, there is still a lot to do, we have to stand up and endure a lot, unfortunately also a lot of pain,” Zelensky said in a video message distributed on Saturday evening. Next week, on August 24th, the country will celebrate its Independence Day.

The day also commemorates half a year of Russian war of aggression, which Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin ordered on February 24. Sunday marks the 179th day since the invasion began.

Zelensky warned that Russia could use Independence Day for extra brutality. “Such is our enemy. Every other week of these six months, Russia has been doing something this disgusting and cruel all the time,” Zelensky said. Among other things, he referred to the “Russian terror” in the Kharkiv region and in the Donbass, where there are rocket and artillery attacks every day.

The head of state also said that he expects partners to visit Kyiv next week. “The war changed everything for Ukraine, for Europe and for the world.” Russia’s aim is to humiliate the country and spread fear and conflict. That’s why nobody should bow to the pressure and show weakness, said Selenski. “That’s why we stick together, help each other, rebuild what was destroyed and fight for our people.”

After numerous reports of downed drones and explosions in military facilities on Russia’s annexed Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, Zelensky said a recapture was in the offing. “This year it’s in the air and you can feel that the occupation is only temporary, Ukraine is returning.”

Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 against international protests. On August 23, Zelensky will host the second international Crimean Platform, a conference aimed at reaffirming the peninsula’s affiliation with Ukraine under international law. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is also to be connected via video.

At the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, in the port city of Sevastopol, the air defense was active again on Saturday evening, according to the authorities. In the morning, according to the information, a Ukrainian drone had already been shot down by the fleet’s command staff, the burning parts of which hit the roof of the building. The Crimean government also reported air defense operations in the west of the peninsula and called on the population to remain calm. The flying objects are small and can hardly cause serious damage, the effect is more psychological, it said.

Russian occupiers: Ukraine shells Zaporizhia nuclear plant

According to the occupation authorities, the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which was occupied by Russian troops, was again attacked by Ukrainian forces with artillery. Critical objects were not hit, according to a statement published on Saturday by the Russian military administration in the city of Enerhodar, where Europe’s largest nuclear power plant is located.

The NATO ammunition was fired from the opposite bank of the Dnipro River and hit the site of the nuclear power plant – in the immediate vicinity of an administration building, it said. Four bullets were registered. “Critical objects of the plant are not damaged.”

The information could not be independently verified. Russia and Ukraine repeatedly accuse each other of shelling the nuclear power plant and planning provocations. Occupation representative Vladimir Rogov accused Ukraine of “nuclear terrorism”. It will be checked whether there are injuries.

The number of employees has already been reduced in view of the danger. The Ukrainian military announced in the evening that it was still feared that the Russian occupiers could disconnect the nuclear power plant from the country’s power grid in order to integrate it into their system.

With six reactors and a net output of 5700 megawatts, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant was occupied by Russian troops in early March. It is of strategic importance for the country’s electricity supply. The leadership in Moscow and the occupation authorities in Zaporizhia reject international demands to return the nuclear power plant to Ukrainian control. There is a warning about the danger of a nuclear catastrophe. In 1986, the worst nuclear accident on European soil occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

This is how the Handelsblatt reports on the Ukraine war and the consequences:

What will be important on Sunday

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) are traveling together to Canada on Sunday. Talks with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will also cover political, economic and military support for Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia, and how to deal with China. The main goal of the visit is to deepen cooperation between the two countries in the fields of climate and energy. Canada is Germany’s partner in the G7 of economically strong democracies and in NATO.

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