Result 24.08: Independence Day and a new drone

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said on Independence Day that Ukrainians will not be dictated by red lines from the Kremlin. He said this in his address, which he recorded from the Sumy region, a few kilometers from the border of the Russian Federation. “The sick grandfather from Red Square, who constantly threatens everyone with a red button, will not dictate to us some of his red lines, Only Ukraine and Ukrainians will decide for themselves how to live , which path to take and what choice to make.” The president said that “those who want to make our lands a buffer zone should think so that their country does not become a buffer federation.” Zelensky emphasized that the enemy should know that sooner or later the Ukrainian response will come to every point in the Russian Federation that is a source of danger to the life of the state and people.

Ukraine used the new Palyanitsa drone missile for the first time. This is a Ukrainian-made weapon. President Vladimir Zelensky said this, adding that these weapons are “a completely new type.” The President emphasized that the enemy had been defeated. He thanked developers, manufacturers and Ukrainian soldiers.

Later in a press conference, Zelensky announced the “very long” missiles. “There will be other missiles, very powerful and very far,” said the head of state.

On the night of August 24, Ukrainian intelligence officers blew up a large ammunition depot in Russia’s Voronezh region, the Main Intelligence Directorate reported. It was indicated that a successful fire attack was made on a field ammunition depot located near the village of Ostrogozhsk. The warehouse stored artillery and tank shells, small arms and surface-to-air missiles – a total of more than 5 thousand tons of ammunition.

Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners on August 24. 115 Ukrainian defenders were released from Russian captivity. In particular, military sailors and three border guards were released, as well as 82 defenders of Mariupol, including defenders of Azovstal, as well as military personnel who defended the regions of Kyiv, Donetsk , Kherson and Lugansk. The exchange took place through the mediation of the United Arab Emirates. The commander of the Azov National Guard brigade, Denis Prokopenko, said that among the 115 released soldiers there was not a single “citizen of Azov.” According to him, this time the Ukrainian negotiating group had enormous leverage, but it was not used.

President Vladimir Zelensky signed a law banning the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and related organizations in Ukraine. After the law takes effect, Ukrainian churches suspected of collaborating with the Russian Orthodox Church will have 9 months to sever ties.

The head of state also signed a law on the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its amendments. Once the law and the Rome Statute enter into force, the state will enter full membership of the International Criminal Court and participate in the Assembly of States Parties to the ISS.