Ukraine is bracing for possible brutal strikes as it marks 31 years since the country broke free from the Soviet Union and six months of war with Russia.
Speaking during a national address on Tuesday night, Zelenskiy said:
Tomorrow is an important day for all of us. And that is why this day, unfortunately, is also important for our enemy. We must be aware that tomorrow hideous Russian provocations and brutal strikes are possible.”
Authorities have banned mass gatherings in Kyiv as western and Ukrainian officials warn that Russia is preparing to once again attack the capital.
The US on Tuesday said it believed Russia would target civilian and government infrastructure in the next few days. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said he had information from Ukraine’s intelligence services and international partners that there was an increased threat. Ukraine’s defence ministry has advised Ukrainians to be especially careful on independence day, citing the threat of missile attacks and “provocations” from Russia.
Andriy Yusov, the head of the ministry’s intelligence directorate, said on Ukrainian state TV:
Russia and the Putin regime attacked the independence of Ukraine and independent Ukraine. They are really obsessed with dates and symbols, so it would be logical to be on the lookout and be prepared for independence day to be attacked.”