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 had been intercepted or suppressed. The missile and 24 drones impacted throughout 10 areas, the air power mentioned.
On Sunday morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s workplace printed a press release to mark 34 years of independence, by which Zelenskyy mentioned the earlier 1,278 days of conflict with Russia represent the nation’s “conflict 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, by which the American chief mentioned that the Ukrainian individuals “have an unbreakable spirit, and your nation’s braveness conjures up many. The US respects your combat, honors your sacrifices, and believes in your future as an unbiased nation.”
“Now’s the second to convey 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 recognize your form phrases for the Ukrainian individuals, and we thank the USA for standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in defending what’s most dear: independence, freedom, and assured peace,” Zelenskyy wrote.
“We imagine that by working collectively, we will put an finish to this conflict and obtain actual peace for Ukraine,” he added.
Ukraine continued its personal long-range assaults on Russia in a single day, in keeping with Russia’s Protection Ministry. Russian forces shot down 95 Ukrainian drones over 14 areas throughout the newest alternate, the ministry mentioned in a Sunday morning assertion.
Not less than one drone was shot down on strategy to Moscow, native officers mentioned, with no less than six shot down over the Leningrad area and St. Petersburg, in keeping with the Protection Ministry.
Two individuals had been injured by drone assaults within the western Russian area of Bryansk, in keeping with native authorities, with injury reported to properties and vehicles.
There have been reviews of explosions associated to drone assaults on the Syzran oil refinery in Samara area, in addition to a fireplace on the Novatek fuel 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 short-term flight restrictions at no less than 11 airports throughout Russia, together with in Pskov, Saratov, Volgograd and St. Petersburg.
Within the western Kursk area, officers mentioned a downed Ukrainian drone prompted a fireplace on the Kursk Nuclear Energy Plant. “Upon influence, 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 put up to X that its Director Normal Rafael Grossi pressured that “each nuclear facility have to be protected always.”
ABC Information’ Natalya Kushnir, Anna Sergeeva and Dragana Jovanovic contributed to this report.
