LONDON — Russia launched drones and a missile into Ukraine in a single day into Sunday, the air pressure in Kyiv stated, 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 stated 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 areas, the air pressure stated.
On Sunday morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s workplace printed an announcement to mark 34 years of independence, by which Zelenskyy stated 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, by which the American chief stated that the Ukrainian folks “have an unbreakable spirit, and your nation’s braveness conjures up many. America respects your combat, honors your sacrifices, and believes in your future as an impartial nation.”
“Now’s the second to deliver 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 folks, and we thank america for standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in defending what’s most beneficial: independence, freedom, and assured peace,” Zelenskyy wrote.
“We imagine that by working collectively, we are able to 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 response to Russia’s Protection Ministry. Russian forces shot down 95 Ukrainian drones over 14 areas throughout the newest alternate, the ministry stated in a Sunday morning assertion.
A minimum of one drone was shot down on strategy to Moscow, native officers stated, with not less than six shot down over the Leningrad area and St. Petersburg, in response to the Protection Ministry.
Two folks have been injured by drone assaults within the western Russian area of Bryansk, in response to 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 hearth on the Novatek gasoline terminal on the port of Ust-Luga, west of St. Petersburg.
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 not less than 11 airports throughout Russia, together with in Pskov, Saratov, Volgograd and St. Petersburg.
Within the western Kursk area, officers stated a downed Ukrainian drone induced a hearth 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 stated that radiation ranges have been regular and there was no instant hazard.
The Worldwide Atomic Power Company stated in a put up to X that its Director Normal Rafael Grossi harassed that “each nuclear facility have to be protected always.”
ABC Information’ Natalya Kushnir, Anna Sergeeva and Dragana Jovanovic contributed to this report.
