Ukraine marks Independence Day with strikes; Britain gifts missile plans, Russia retaliates

Ukraine celebrated its 35th anniversary of independence with a display of military might, including drones, fighter jets, and robots, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posed for selfies with soldiers. The nation also continued its strikes on Russian military depots, including one belonging to Ozon, a major online retailer, which confirmed damage to six warehouses since August 22.

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My nation, our nation maintained the flame of freedom in the 20th century. You hold that torch in the 21st century. And despite unacceptable Russian threats to my country, we will continue to support your defense.

Adding to the day's events, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, on his first foreign visit since taking office, presented Ukraine with blueprints for long-range missiles. These missiles can hit targets approximately 240 kilometers inside Russian territory, marking a significant escalation in military technology sharing. Burnham drew parallels between Ukraine's fight and the battle against Nazism, stating, "You hold that torch in the 21st century. And despite unacceptable Russian threats to my country, we will continue to support your defense."

President Zelenskyy addressed Russia's war aims, stating, "You wanted to take all of Ukraine, all of our land, but instead you have lost your oil refineries, your navy, your income, and an entire generation that you sent into the meat grinder." He contrasted Russia's past claims of greatness with its current situation, remarking, "For twenty-seven years, the Russian leader has spoken of greatness, while Russia stands in line for gasoline."

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You wanted to take all of Ukraine, all of our land, but instead you have lost your oil refineries, your navy, your income, and an entire generation, whom you sent into the meat grinder. You wanted us to disappear from the map. Now you are not on the international agenda of future civilization. For twenty-seven years, the Russian leader has spoken of greatness, while Russia stands in line for gasoline.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded to Zelenskyy's remarks by accusing Britain of consistently "adding fuel to the fire" and actively working to prevent any progress toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Meanwhile, Russia continued its own attacks, targeting a shopping center in the Odesa region, which resulted in five injuries.

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Britain systematically and regularly adds fuel to the fire and systematically and regularly makes plans to prevent even the slightest progress in the process of peaceful conflict resolution. That is what Britain is doing.