Situation at a glance: Ukraine’s Independence Day: Allies pledge help

On Ukraine’s Independence Day, the government in Kiev’s western allies have promised further support in its fight against the Russian invasion. In a telephone call, Chancellor Olaf Scholz assured President Volodymyr Selenskyj of Germany’s “unbreakable solidarity”; the governments of the USA, Great Britain and Poland made similar statements on Saturday.

There were several celebrations in Kyiv itself, which were also attended by Poland’s President Andrzej Duda and Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė. On Independence Day, Zelenskyj presented a new drone rocket manufactured in the country.

Duda stressed that Poland would continue to help Ukraine: politically, militarily and otherwise. “We have no doubt that it is our duty as citizens of this part of Europe to support Ukraine on its path to the EU,” the President said. Likewise, Warsaw would also support Kyiv’s path to NATO.

According to government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit, Chancellor Scholz discussed “the military and humanitarian situation in Ukraine” with Zelenskyj. Zelenskyj thanked the federal government for its continuous military support, particularly in air defense.

US President Joe Biden assured Zelensky of “America’s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people.” The country will “continue to stand by the attacked country every step of the way.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also promised Ukraine his country’s continued support.

Ukraine received concrete help in the form of new military aid from the USA and Lithuania. The new US aid package, worth around 125 million US dollars (around 111 million euros), includes ammunition for Himars multiple rocket launchers, artillery shells and small arms ammunition – but also ambulances and other medical equipment, according to the US State Department.

Lithuania also wants to support Ukraine with another military package. According to the Unian agency, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė said: “Lithuania’s position is well known and simple: Ukraine must win, Russia must lose.” In the autumn, Kiev is to receive around 5,000 drones from Lithuania. Before that, in addition to ammunition and weapons, anti-aircraft systems, missiles and equipment for drone defense are to be delivered by the beginning of September. In addition, Lithuania is making 35 million euros available for the purchase of radar devices and mine detection equipment, said Šimonytė. The value of the new military package was not disclosed. Lithuania is one of Ukraine’s most committed supporters.

Selenskyj presents new weapon

Ukraine’s head of state Zelensky presented a newly developed weapon called “Palyanytsia,” which will be included in the missile program. “This drone missile is much faster than our long-range drones – and more powerful.” Zelensky did not provide any further details for security reasons. “Palyanytsia” refers to the traditional white bread of Ukraine.

In recent months, Ukraine has increasingly started building drones of all kinds. These relatively inexpensive weapons can be produced in large numbers. The Ukrainian armed forces mainly use long-range drones against targets on Russian territory, as their Western partners have not yet allowed them to use heavy weapons – rockets or cruise missiles – for these attacks.

Military intelligence already has plans to liberate Crimea

The Ukrainian military intelligence service HUR has already drawn up concrete plans to recapture the Crimean peninsula, which was occupied and annexed by Russia. There are also already plans to destroy the Russian-built Kerch Bridge, as HUR representative Andriy Yusov said on television. “We would all like to look at the clock and say that the Crimean Bridge will last another 15 minutes, but the reality is more complicated,” he explained, referring to the defense systems against air and sea attacks that Russia has now built around the bridge.

However, Yussov did not want to reveal how exactly Ukraine planned to achieve these goals. “We will not make any announcements on this, just as we have not made any on previous occasions.”

Russian troops continue attacks in eastern Ukraine

The Russian military has continued to put pressure on the Ukrainian defenders around the Donbass in the east of the country. Once again, the towns of Toretsk and Pokrovsk were the focal points, as the General Staff in Kiev announced in the evening. While a total of 39 attacks were repelled at Pokrovsk, there were nine attacks by Russian troops at Toretsk. Russian air strikes with glide bombs again caused severe damage.