The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
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Russia’s war against Ukraine
A serviceman looks at photographs of fallen comrades on Ukraine’s Independence Day in Kyiv on Aug. 24, 2025. (Photo by Oleksii Filippov/AFP via Getty Images)
Ukraine, Russia hold prisoner exchange on Independence Day. Although this time Ukraine has not yet announced the number of people released, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (POWs) said among them were eight civilians, including Ukrainian journalists Dmytro Khyliuk and Mark Kaliush and former mayor of Kherson, Volodymyr Mykolaienko.
Ukraine liberates 3 villages in Donetsk Oblast, military reports on Independence Day. Ukrainian troops have liberated the villages of Zelenyi Hai, Mykhailivka, and Volodymyrivka, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi reported on Aug. 24.
Zelensky doesn’t have legitimacy to sign a peace deal, Russia’s top diplomat claims. “When we come to a stage when you have to sign documents, we would need a very clear understanding by everybody that the person who is signing is legitimate, and … Mr. Zelensky is not,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
Canada to send over $700 million in drones and ammunition to Ukraine in September. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Aug. 24 that his country will provide Ukraine with drones, ammunition, and armored vehicles as part of an aid package worth over one billion Canadian dollars (more than $700 million), with deliveries expected in September.
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Ukraine strikes long-range with own weapons without coordinating with US, Zelensky says. Ukraine uses domestically produced weapons to carry out long-range strikes against Russia and does not coordinate such targets with the U.S., President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference during Ukraine’s Independence Day on Aug. 24.US Envoy Kellogg, Canadian PM Carney arrive in Kyiv for Ukraine’s Independence Day. U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are among foreign officials who celebrated Ukraine’s 34th Independence Day on Aug. 24 in Kyiv.
‘Our flags are returning to where they belong’ —Ukraine liberates Novomykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast, military intelligence reports. The joint operation “took the occupiers by surprise” and cost Russia “about a company of personnel,” Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) announced on Independence Day.
Ukraine, Canada sign joint defense production agreement. The deal will make it easier to establish Ukrainian defense companies in Canada and provide Kyiv “with modern weapons and military equipment in the long term,” Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal said.
Read our exclusives
34 facts to learn about Ukraine this Independence Day
Ukraine celebrated its 34th Independence Day on Aug. 24, 2025. To mark the occasion, we asked Kyiv Independent staff to share their favorite fact about Ukrainian history, culture, their hometown, or a famous Ukrainian — some of whom you might be surprised to learn are from Ukraine. Read to see how many facts you already knew.
Photo: Kyodo News via Getty Images
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine, Russia hold prisoner exchange on Independence Day
Ukraine brought home another group of soldiers and civilians from Russian captivity on Aug. 24, the country’s Independence Day. The swap follows a series of other exchanges carried out in recent weeks in line with an agreement reached during peace talks in Istanbul on June 2.
Photo: President’s Office
10 books to better understand Ukraine on its Independence Day
In this article, the Kyiv Independent highlights 10 books that offer a window into Ukraine’s past and present, underscoring both the country’s complexities and the resilient spirit of its people. These works show that independence is not just political — it’s a deeply personal and communal journey rooted in memory, culture, and hope.
Photo: Chris Jones / The Kyiv Independent
‘Ukraine will never be forced into compromise. We need a just peace’ — Zelensky’s Independence Day address
“Dear Ukrainians! Dear people!
Today is Ukraine’s Independence Day.
I am here now, in the heart of Kyiv, on Independence Square. And it is here that one can truly feel what independence means, why it is so important to us, and why Maidan is far more than just the main square of the country.”
Photo: President’s Office
From Crimea to Donbas, Russia’s “peace” has always meant more war. We’re here in Ukraine to give the world a reality check. Support independent journalism in this critical moment.
Human cost of Russia’s war
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,076,070 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The number includes 910 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.Russia attacks Ukraine with 72 drones, ballistic missile on Independence Day. Ukraine shot down a total of 48 drones, while a missile and 24 Shahed attack drones struck 10 locations, the Air Force said, without specifying the targets.
International response
Putin is ‘obstacle to peace,’ retired US General Petraeus says. In an interview with ABC News on Aug. 24, former CIA Director and retired U.S. Army General David Petraeus cast doubt on both the likelihood of a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and on Putin’s willingness to negotiate in good faith.
Russia has made ‘significant concessions‘ amid Trump-led peace talks, Vance says. In an exclusive interview with NBC News on Aug. 24, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance expressed optimism about diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine and claimed that Russia has made “significant concessions” during peace talks.
Ukraine, Hungary spat highlights tensions over pipeline attack. Kyiv and Budapest exchanged sharp rhetoric after tensions escalated following an attack on Russian oil infrastructure, which disrupted flows through a critical pipeline supplying Hungary.
‘The people of Ukraine have an unbreakable spirit’ — Trump, world leaders mark Independence Day with messages of support to Kyiv. “As you mark this important day, know the United States respects your fight, honors your sacrifices, and believes in your future as an independent nation,” U.S. President Donald Trump said in a letter of support to Ukraine.
Little progress made so far on Ukraine peace deal, German Chancellor says. “Yes, we have taken the first steps. But I will say it figuratively, we are at a distance of 10 kilometers and have passed, maybe, the first 200 meters, no more. But in any case, we are moving in the right direction,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.
In other news
Drone strikes spark fires at Russian gas terminal and oil refinery. Ukrainian drones struck a natural gas terminal in Russia’s Leningrad region and an oil refinery in Samara region on Aug. 24.
US approves sale of ERAM missiles to Ukraine, WSJ reports. Washington approved the sale of 3,550 Extended-Range Attack Munition missiles to Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal reported on Aug. 23, citing two unnamed U.S. officials.
Pro-Ukrainian partisans reportedly destroy railway electrical transformer in southern Russia. “An agent of our movement destroyed a transformer cabinet on the railway branch near Cherkessk in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic. Military cargo is transported along this road, and military units and the Russian National Guard in the region are supplied,” the Atesh partisan group said.
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