Sunday, August 25

Russia’s war against Ukraine

Aftermath of Russian strikes in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Aug. 24, 2024. (Internal Affairs Ministry/Facebook)

115 Ukrainian soldiers returned from Russian captivity, Zelensky confirms. Among those brought back were soldiers from the National Guard, army, navy, and the State Border Guard Service.

’Ukrainian response will reach any point in Russia“ — Zelensky’s Independence Day address. Editor’s note: This is the transcript of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address released by the President’s Office on Aug. 24, 2024, Ukraine’s 33rd Independence Day. “Dear people! Ukrainians always pay back their debts. And whoever wished misery upon our land shall find it in their own home.

Ukrainian hackers launch large-scale cyberattack on Russian Internet providers, military-related companies, source says. The recent attack affected at least 33 servers and 283 office computers at industrial facilities, took down 21 websites, and destroyed 15 cloud and file storages.

Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going. Become a member today.

Operation in Kursk Oblast prevents Russia’s attempts to occupy Sumy, Zelensky says. Zelensky positively assessed the operation’s progress in Kursk Oblast, adding: “The operation is complex, it is important that it is going according to our plan.”

Kyiv denies talks held with Russia to stop strikes on energy infrastructure. Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko denied any indirect negotiations with Russia to stop attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in an interview on national television on Aug. 24.

Zelensky praises new Ukrainian-made Palianytsia missiles. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine’s new military advancements, particularly the Palianytsia missile, are a critical way for the country to act amid delays in decision-making by some of its international partners.

KI Insights, a newly launched analytical unit powered by the Kyiv Independent, is organizing monthly briefings on a hot political topic of the month. 

We will reflect on the key events in the history of oligarchy in Ukraine, take a deep dive into the power players in 2019 (beginning of Zelensky’s presidency) and where they are now, shed light on the new faces and what place oligarchs hold in today’s wartime Ukraine.  

Format: Online. The event will include a presentation by our director, Jakub Parusinski, and a Q&A session. Seize the opportunity, as the next briefing is planned offline only in Kyiv. 

When: Tuesday, August 27, 16:00 Kyiv time (15:00 in Brussels, 14:00 in London, 10:00 in Washington, DC). Expected duration – 1 hour.You can add the event to your calendar by clicking here .

Where: A Zoom link will be sent to confirmed participants by e-mail. 

In case of any issues or questions, please contact us at insights@kyivindependent.com 
Feel free to reach out to suggest topics of interest for future briefings.  

Read our exclusives

How Ukraine’s military has changed since it last paraded through the streets of Kyiv

On Aug. 24, 2021, Ukraine’s military finest paraded through the streets of Kyiv in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the country’s Independence Day.

It would be the last time such an event was held, with Russia’s full-scale invasion meaning everything on display would be put to the test, with the fate of the entire country resting on the shoulders of those who took part.

Photo: Volodymyr Tarasov/ Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Opinions and insights

Opinion: On Independence Day, a playlist in honor of musicians who defend Ukraine

The playlist by Daria Kolomiec — Ukrainian cultural activist, producer, DJ, and author of the documentary project Diary of War — includes artists serving in Ukraine’s Armed Forces and those killed during the war.

“You can hear everything from Ukrainian metal, rock, punk, and drum and bass to funk, folk, and pop. Courage and love for one’s country are not defined by genres or styles,” Kolomiec writes.

Image: Anastasiia Syvash

Opinion: The heavy weight of Ukrainian culture

“Everything in Ukraine is about pain, tears, serfdom, and wars. Of course, children don’t want to read such literature. Despite being ‘very heavy,’ our culture is also strong, deep, exceptional, and sincere, though it is scarred by cruelty and injustice,” writes Khrystia Vengryniuk, writer and artist from Chernivtsi.

Photo: Kaniuka Ruslan/Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Human cost of war

Russian attack in Donetsk Oblast town Kostiantynivka kills 5, at least 5 injured. According to the Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s Office, Russian troops likely fired on the town with artillery, killing three men and two women.

Russian missile attack on Sumy injures 7. Two people are in serious condition, according to the report.

General Staff: Russia has lost 606,490 troops since Feb. 24, 2022. This number includes 1,160 casualties Russian forces suffered over the past day.

International response

Latvia to expand Drone Coalition, provide Ukraine $126 million in military support, defense minister says. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Latvia’s Defense Minister Andris Spruds discussed front-line developments and strengthening the Drone Coalition, which has united nearly 20 countries so far.

Lithuania announces new military aid package, including drones, air defense missiles. Simonyte said that by the end of 2024, Lithuania will fulfill and most likely exceed its commitment to spend 0.25% of its GDP on assistance to Ukraine and defense.

Some US officials say Washington restricting Ukrainian strikes on Russia in hopes of eventual reset in relations with Moscow, Politico reports. Some officials in Washington have told Kyiv the U.S. is keeping its restrictions on Ukraine using U.S.-made long-range weapons against Russian territory in order to not upend any future reset with Moscow, Politico reported, citing unnamed officials in the Biden administration.

Polish President Duda, Lithuanian PM Simonyte make remarks from Kyiv on Independence Day. “I have never had, and do not have, the slightest doubt that, through their united efforts and struggle, the courageous Ukrainian people will uphold their independence,” said Polish President Andrzej Duda.

In other news

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov arrested at French airport. Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder and CEO of Telegram, was arrested at Le Bourget airport outside of Paris while traveling on his private jet.

Zelensky signs law potentially banning Moscow-linked church. The legislation could effectively prohibit the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), which is legally subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church.

Russia destroys historic house of 20th-century Ukrainian anarchist revolutionary. The house, which served as a museum to the 20th-century revolutionary, burnt to the ground after Russia launched 306 strikes on nine front-line settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast overnight on Aug. 23.

Want to get the news faster? Follow our website: kyivindependent.com.

Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Dominic Culverwell, Nate Ostiller, Chris York, Kateryna Hodunova, and Sonya Bandouil.

If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program. Start supporting independent journalism today.