Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky celebrated Independence Day near where his forces launched a surprise offensive into Russian territory, vowing more “retribution” against Russia. Zelensky also signed a law banning the Russia-linked branch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, calling it a “liberation from Moscow’s devils.” Kyiv marked its independence from the Soviet Union amidst mounting tension in the long war as it pushes into Russia while Moscow eyes more east Ukrainian towns. Zelensky’s Kursk operation aimed to show Russia the choice between occupying Ukrainian territories or protecting its population. Kyiv also aims to stretch Russia’s reserves in eastern Ukraine and exchange Russian prisoners for Ukrainian POWs.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with army chief Valery Gerasimov to discuss “countering enemy forces invading the Kursk region.” The Kremlin’s choice of language suggested a shift in attitude towards the surprise Ukrainian move. Despite the rattled response by Moscow, Ukraine’s Kursk operation has not slowed Russia’s advance in eastern Ukraine. During Ukraine’s Independence Day celebrations, a Russian strike in Kostyantynivka killed five people. Ukraine responded with a strike on an ammunition depot in Russia and another strike in the Russian border region of Belgorod that resulted in casualties, including three children. Russia declared a state of emergency in Belgorod and deployed more troops to defend the region against incursions.
Ukraine and Russia announced the return of 230 captive servicemen in a deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates. Kyiv claimed some of the released soldiers were fighters from the 2022 battle for the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol. The Kursk offensive helped bolster Ukraine’s “exchange fund” of captured Russian soldiers for trading purposes. Reports of young conscripts going missing in Kursk have circulated online, with Russia saying the freed servicemen will be brought back from Belarus soon. Zelensky emphasized that the law banning the Russian-linked church aims to protect Ukrainian Orthodoxy from Moscow’s influence, as Ukraine seeks to distance itself from the Russian church since 2014.
U.S. President Joe Biden stated that the war will end with Ukraine remaining a free, sovereign, and independent country on Ukraine’s Independence Day. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated Berlin’s support despite plans to reduce military aid to Kyiv in the future. European leaders also expressed solidarity with Ukraine, with the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell highlighting Ukraine’s fight as existential for both Ukraine and the EU. European Council President Charles Michel expressed optimism about Ukraine’s future in the EU in his message to Ukrainians on Independence Day. The banning of the Russia-linked church has caused tension with Moscow’s Orthodox Church leader, who accused Ukraine of persecuting believers.
Zelensky’s video near the location of Ukraine’s surprise offensive into Russia emphasized the retribution Ukraine plans to deliver against Russia. The Kursk operation, which aimed to capture Russian soldiers and stretch Moscow’s reserves, has raised tensions in the region. Ukraine’s military intelligence declared a successful attack on an ammunition depot in Russia, leading to a raid in return by Russian forces in Ukrainian border regions. Despite the conflict, both Ukraine and Russia facilitated the exchange of prisoners as part of ongoing negotiations. The situation remains volatile as Ukraine and Russia continue to engage in military operations in the region.
