LONDON — Russia launched drones and a missile into Ukraine in a single day into Sunday, the air pressure 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 pressure 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 had been intercepted or suppressed. The missile and 24 drones impacted throughout 10 places, the air pressure mentioned.
On Sunday morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s workplace revealed a press release 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 almost 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 respect your sort phrases for the Ukrainian individuals, and we thank the USA for standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in defending what’s most respected: independence, freedom, and assured peace,” Zelenskyy wrote.
“We imagine 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 alternate, the ministry mentioned in a Sunday morning assertion.
No less than 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 had 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 experiences of explosions associated to drone assaults on the Syzran oil refinery in Samara area, in addition to a hearth on the Novatek gasoline terminal on the port of Ust-Luga, west of St. Petersburg.
Ukrainian servicemen apply 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 momentary 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 triggered a hearth on the Kursk Nuclear Energy Plant. “Upon affect, the drone detonated, leading to injury to an auxiliary transformer,” the plant’s press service wrote on Telegram.
The assertion mentioned that radiation ranges had been regular and there was no quick hazard.
The Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company mentioned in a submit to X that its Director Common Rafael Grossi careworn that “each nuclear facility should be protected always.”
ABC Information’ Natalya Kushnir, Anna Sergeeva and Dragana Jovanovic contributed to this report.
