LONDON — Russia launched drones and a missile into Ukraine in a single day into Sunday, the air power in Kyiv mentioned, because the nation kicked off independence day celebrations marking the anniversary of its 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.
Ukraine’s air power mentioned Russia launched 72 drones and one Iskander-M ballistic missile into the nation in its newest in a single day barrage, of which 48 drones have been intercepted or suppressed. The missile and 24 drones impacted throughout 10 places, the air power mentioned.
On Sunday morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s workplace revealed an announcement to mark 34 years of independence, through which Zelenskyy mentioned the earlier 1,278 days of struggle with Russia represent the nation’s “struggle for independence.”
Ukraine marks its independence day amid U.S.-led efforts to finish Russia’s full-scale invasion of the nation, which started in February 2022 and adopted practically a decade of cross-border aggression and land grabs by Moscow.
The Independence Monument is pictured as Ukrainian flags blow within the wind in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Aug. 23, 2025.
Sean Kilpatrick/AP
Zelenskyy posted to social media to share a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump, through which the American chief mentioned that the Ukrainian individuals “have an unbreakable spirit, and your nation’s braveness conjures up many. The USA respects your combat, honors your sacrifices, and believes in your future as an impartial nation.”
“Now could be the second to carry an finish to the mindless killing,” Trump continued, calling for a “negotiated settlement that results in a sturdy, lasting peace that ends the bloodshed and safeguards Ukraine’s sovereignty and dignity.”
Zelenskyy thanked Trump for his letter. “We admire your sort phrases for the Ukrainian individuals, and we thank the US for standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in defending what’s most beneficial: independence, freedom, and assured peace,” Zelenskyy wrote.
“We consider that by working collectively, we will put an finish to this struggle and obtain actual peace for Ukraine,” he added.
Ukraine continued its personal long-range assaults on Russia in a single day, in line with Russia’s Protection Ministry. Russian forces shot down 95 Ukrainian drones over 14 areas in the course of the newest change, the ministry mentioned in a Sunday morning assertion.
At the least one drone was shot down on strategy to Moscow, native officers mentioned, with a minimum of six shot down over the Leningrad area and St. Petersburg, in line with the Protection Ministry.
Two individuals have been injured by drone assaults within the western Russian area of Bryansk, in line with native authorities, with injury reported to houses and automobiles.
There have been stories of explosions associated to drone assaults on the Syzran oil refinery in Samara area, in addition to a fireplace on the Novatek gasoline terminal on the port of Ust-Luga, west of St. Petersburg.
Sources contained in the Safety Service of Ukraine (SBU) informed ABC Information that drones struck the Ust-Luga port, concentrating on the Novatek gasoline facility.
The SBU beforehand struck Ust-Luga in January 2025. The terminal handles Russian oil and gasoline exports together with through the nation’s so-called “shadow fleet” of tankers used to evade worldwide sanctions.
The SBU described Saturday evening’s assault as “a present for Russia on Ukraine’s independence day.”
Ukrainian servicemen follow firing an anti-tank weapon throughout coaching in Kharkiv area, Ukraine, on Aug. 23, 2025.
Sofiia Gatilova/Reuters
Russia’s federal air transport company, Rosaviatsiya, reported non permanent flight restrictions at a minimum of 11 airports throughout Russia, together with in Pskov, Saratov, Volgograd and St. Petersburg.
Within the western Kursk area, officers mentioned a downed Ukrainian drone brought about a fireplace on the Kursk Nuclear Energy Plant. “Upon impression, the drone detonated, leading to injury to an auxiliary transformer,” the plant’s press service wrote on Telegram.
The assertion mentioned that radiation ranges have been regular and there was no speedy hazard.
The Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company mentioned in a publish to X that its Director Common Rafael Grossi pressured that “each nuclear facility should be protected always.”
ABC Information’ Natalya Kushnir, Anna Sergeeva and Dragana Jovanovic contributed to this report.
