Zelensky calls for strength ahead of Ukrainian Independence Day, fears of Russian escalation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for strength in an address to the nation on Saturday amid fears of a possible escalation by Russia and as Ukrainian Independence Day nears.

“We must all be strong enough to resist any enemy provocations — as much as it takes to make the occupiers answer for all their blows and terror — for Kharkiv and Donbas, for Azovstal and Mykolaiv, for the filtration camps, for Bucha, Irpin, for all cities. … We must all be strong enough to endure and go all the way to Ukrainian victory,” Zelensky said.

Ukraine will be celebrating the 31st anniversary of its independence on Aug. 24, which also marks six months since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. 

The Strategic Communications Directorate, Office of the Chief of Defense, Armed Forces of Ukraine warned in a post on Thursday that “Russia is concentrating a large number of anti-aircraft missiles near the borders with Ukraine and in the occupied territories from the S-300 air defense system.”

“The threat of massive shelling of the territory of Ukraine, at least, with S-300 missiles is obvious. Taking into account the arrival of a number of echelons by the 20th, it is also obvious that they are concentrated until August 24,” it added.

Zelensky in his address suggested that Russia could try to do something “particularly nasty, something particularly cruel” this week.

“One of the key tasks of the enemy is to humiliate us, Ukrainians, to devalue our capabilities, our heroes, to spread despair, fear, to spread conflicts. … Therefore, it is important never, for a single moment, to give in to this enemy pressure, not to wind oneself up, not to show weakness,” the Ukrainian president said.

Zelensky’s remarks come as the Biden administration announced on Friday it would be sending another $775 million of military aid to Ukraine in a situation that Western officials assess as close to an operational standstill on both sides.