On Ukrainian Independence Day, President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a stern warning that Ukraine will soon be capable of striking "any point" within the Russian Federation that poses a threat to his country and its people. His message was delivered as Ukraine celebrated 33 years of independence from the Soviet Union, marking the occasion with a strong statement of defiance against Russian aggression.
In a 13-minute video address, recorded near the border from where Kyiv launched a surprise incursion into Russia, Zelensky declared that the war has "returned to [Russia's] home" and that Ukraine will respond to any threats. "Our enemy will know... that, sooner or later, a Ukrainian response will reach any point in the Russian Federation that is a source of danger to the life of our state or our people," he asserted.
Zelensky also announced that Ukrainian forces had successfully tested a new drone missile, signaling further advancements in the country's military capabilities. He took a direct swipe at Russian President Vladimir Putin, referring to him as a "sick man from Red Square who constantly threatens everyone with the red button."
In addition to military developments, Zelensky signed several laws aimed at distancing Ukraine from Russian influence. One notable law bans the Moscow branch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a move that has been in the making since Russia's invasion of Crimea in 2014 and has accelerated since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The Ukrainian president described the action as a step toward "liberation from Moscow’s devils," while Russia condemned it as "illegal."
Zelensky also ratified the Rome Statute, paving the way for Ukraine to join the International Criminal Court (ICC). This move could increase the likelihood of prosecuting Russian officials for war crimes committed since the start of the invasion.
The international community, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressed solidarity with Ukraine on its independence day. "To the people of Ukraine from the people of Britain, we send you our warmest wishes as you mark your independence day," Starmer said in a message shared on social media. "I want you to know that we stand with you for as long as it takes, with whatever it takes until victory, until a just and lasting peace."
Zelensky later participated in official celebrations at Kyiv's Sofia Square, joined by Polish President Andrzej Duda and Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, underscoring the continued support of Ukraine's neighbors and allies in its fight for sovereignty and peace.