Speaking during a national address on Tuesday night, Zelensky said: Tomorrow is an important day for all of us. And that’s why this day, unfortunately, is also important for our enemy. We must know that tomorrow horrific 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 attack the capital again. Confiscated Russian military equipment and weapons on display in Kyiv on the National Flag Day of Ukraine on August 23. Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images The US said on Tuesday it believed Russia would target civilian and government infrastructure in the coming days. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he had information from Ukraine’s intelligence services and international partners that there was an increased threat. Ukraine’s defense ministry has advised Ukrainians to be extra cautious on Independence Day, citing the threat of missile attacks and “provocations” from Russia. Andriy Yusov, head of the ministry’s intelligence directorate, told Ukrainian state television: Russia and the Putin regime attacked the independence of Ukraine and independent Ukraine. They’re really obsessed with dates and symbols, so it would make sense for them to be on the lookout and be prepared for independence day to be attacked.” Updated at 03.29 BST Important events Show only key events Please enable JavaScript to use this feature Russia’s offensive in Donbas is making little progress and its forces are suffering from shortages of ammunition, vehicles and personnel, according to British intelligence. The latest UK Ministry of Defense report states: The Donbas offensive is making little progress, and Russia is expecting a major Ukrainian counteroffensive. Operationally, Russia suffers from shortages in ammunition, vehicles and personnel. Morale is poor in many parts of her army and her army is significantly undermanned. Its diplomatic power has declined and its long-term economic prospects are bleak. Six months on and Russia’s war has proved both costly and strategically damaging.’ Charlotte Graham-McLay The New Zealand Defense Force has announced it has received reports that a soldier on leave has been killed in Ukraine. Charlotte Graham-McLay reports from Wellington. The soldier was on unpaid leave at the time and was not on active duty with the New Zealand forces, according to a statement released to the media via email on Wednesday. The comments were not attributed to a named person. The statement said the NZDF was still gathering information “to fully understand the circumstances” and could not provide further details. The New Zealand government announced earlier this month that it would send an extra 120 defense force personnel to the UK to help train Ukrainian soldiers, on top of the 30 it had deployed to do so in May. New Zealand Defense Minister Peeni Henare said at the time that no member of the New Zealand Defense Force would enter Ukraine while on duty. Finland followed suit with its president Sauli Niinistö also congratulating Ukraine this morning. “My most sincere congratulations to President Zelenskiy and the people of Ukraine on your Independence Day,” Niinistö said. “Finland stands by Ukraine and we will continue our undivided support for as long as necessary.” Lithuania wished Ukraine on its independence day today. President Gitanas Nausėda shared a photo of himself with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Twitter this morning. “I wish strength to Zelensky and Ukraine who is fighting for freedom with incredible courage, defiance and dignity,” he said. “Lithuania is always with you.” Today Ukraine celebrates its Independence Day, and it also marks six months since the beginning of the Russian war atrocities. I wish strength to the nation @ZelenskyyUa& 🇺🇦 fighting for freedom with incredible courage, defiance and dignity. Lithuania is always with you 🇱🇹🇺🇦! pic.twitter.com/Wxl3vG7qfk — Gitanas Nausėda (@GitanasNauseda) August 24, 2022 The US has begun offloading more military aid to Ukraine. The U.S. Department of Defense released a series of photos showing members of the 305th Airlift Squadron loading packages of ammunition bound for Ukraine onto planes at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. “Our service members are working around the clock to ensure that the Ukrainian people have the equipment they need to defend their country,” added US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The project continues. It never stops. Our military is working around the clock to make sure the Ukrainian people have the equipment they need to defend their country. https://t.co/CmddSbSy9X — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) August 23, 2022 Google released a doodle in honor of Ukraine’s independence day today. Illustrated by Kharkiv-based artist Olga Shtonda, the design commemorates this day in 1991, when Ukrainian politicians signed the act of declaration of independence and displayed their national flag in the conference hall of the Verkhovna Rada building, marking its freedom from Soviet Union. The national holiday remembers all those who gave their lives for their country, including those who are still fighting today. On December 1, 1991, in a national referendum, 92% of citizens voted for independence. Today’s doodle artwork represents the national symbols of Ukraine, with a trident often interpreted as a falcon and the country’s coat of arms, Google said.
Russia bombs nuclear plant ‘ashes’ to release radioactive dust: Ukraine News
Ukraine’s intelligence directorate has claimed that Russia is trying to bomb the “ashes” of Ukraine’s Zaporizhia nuclear power plant to “raise clouds of radioactive dust”. In an update posted on the agency’s official Telegram channel late last night, officials said the mortar attacks on Energodar’s surrounding suburbs were aimed at targeting the Zaporizhzhia plant’s ashes. These are storage areas for ash, which is formed during the operation of thermal power plants. This waste has a high concentration of toxic substances and a radiation level that is at least 2.5 times higher than the natural background. When drying, they form dust that can travel long distances. As a result of mortar strikes in ash pits, dust clouds are formed, which are blown by the wind in the Energodar region. Background radiation monitoring, which is carried out near the nuclear plant, shows an increase in the level of radiation. The invaders are trying to present these data as the results of mythical “strikes by the Armed Forces of Ukraine”. Norway and Britain are joining forces to acquire the Norwegian Black Hornet micro-drone for deployment in Ukraine. The package – costing up to NOK 90m (about £8m) – includes Black Hornet units, spare parts, transport and training and will be financed from the British fund to which Norway has contributed NOK 400m, according to a statement. issued by the Norwegian Ministry of Defense on Wednesday. The Norwegian-developed drone is used for reconnaissance and target recognition. It is easy to operate, powerful, difficult to detect and particularly suitable for combat in urban areas, said Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram. A Black Hornet nano drone has been spotted with a military personnel training area near Salisbury, UK. Photo: Reuters The micro-drone will be acquired by Teledyne Flir, as a cancellation of a framework agreement held by the Norwegian Defense Material Agency. The supply, training and delivery of the material will be done in cooperation and coordination with the British authorities. An anti-drone system will also be purchased for about 100 million from Norwegian funds for the fund. The system chosen is the Nightfighter anti-drone system from British SteelRock Technologies. The SteelRock Nightfighter is a portable system that provides drone protection through effective engagement. The system is particularly suitable for protecting smaller patrols, artillery positions and other important assets Updated 06.12 BST Rupert Neate A $75m (£63m) superyacht linked to a Russian steel billionaire has gone up for auction in Gibraltar in the first sale of an oligarch’s assets since Putin invaded Ukraine in February. The 72.5m Axioma was seized by steel billionaire Dmitry Pubyansky in March following sanctions from the UK, EU and US. Ukraine’s admiral’s office said Tuesday that “63 bids were received” for the Axioma, but declined to detail the value of the bids for the yacht, which has six luxury guest cabins, a swimming pool, a 3D cinema room. gym, hot tub and fully equipped spa. The superyacht Axioma owned by Russian oligarch Dmitry Pumpyansky in Gibraltar in March. Photo: Jon Nazca/Reuters “The successful bidder will be selected by the marshal of the admiralty, but the details of the bidder and the value of the bid will remain confidential,” the court said in a statement. “Details of the vessel’s sale value will be made available once the transaction is completed, which could take place in approximately 10 to 14 days.” The sale of Axioma has sparked controversy because it is being sold not for the benefit of the Ukrainian people but for a US investment bank, JP Morgan, which claims Pumpyansky owes it more than €20.5m (£17m).
UN concern over trials of Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia
The UN has said it is “deeply concerned” about plans by Russian-backed authorities to hold trials of captured Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol. Pro-Russian officials appear to be…
