Six months to the day since Vladimir Putin launched his invasion, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said his country has been “reborn” through its fight for freedom.
In a pre-recorded speech to mark Ukrainian Independence Day on Wednesday, the wartime leader said: “A new nation appeared in the world on 24 February at 4 in the morning. It was not born, but reborn. A nation that did not cry, scream or take fright. One that did not flee. Did not give up. And did not forget.”
Dressed in his trademark combat fatigues, the 44-year-old added: “What for us is the end of the war? We used to say: peace. Now we say: victory.
His optimistic message came after he warned the Ukrainian public to expect Russian attacks on the national holiday. Moscow was likely to stage “repugnant…provocations” around the festivities, he said.
As a safety precaution, the city of Kyiv has banned public celebrations. However, in a show of defiance, burned-out Russian tanks were placed in the centre of the capital.
Key Points
Ukraine reborn when Russia invaded, says Zelensky
Kyiv warns of likely Russian attacks as Ukraine marks Independence Day
Putin’s war ‘strategically harmful’ for Russia, says MoD
US to send $3 billion in aid to Ukraine as war hits six mont
Russia ‘grinding’ in attempt to advance in Ukraine, says British defence secretary
Russia remains in a “very fragile position” and is making little progress in Ukraine, UK defence secretary Ben Wallace has said.
Wallace told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Russia’s advance can be measured in metres per week, not miles.
“It is grinding in small parts of the country in an attempt to advance – completely opposite of the three-days special operation that it touted at the beginning of this, six months ago.”
On whether Ukraine is realistically in a position to retake territory, Wallace said: “I think Ukraine is getting itself into that position...if you look at the morale of the Ukrainian forces, it is leagues ahead of the Russian morale, which is poorly-trained troops, etc.
Six months of conflict have cost thousands of Ukrainian civilians their lives.
Here are some images of the war which Russia launched on 24 February