Prisoner swap, Palyanytsia drone missile and Independence Day: August 24 highlights
Ukraine and the Russian Federation conducted the first exchange of prisoners after the start of the fighting in Kursk Oblast. For the first time, Ukraine used the Palyanytsia drone missile. Officials from European countries came to Ukraine for Independence Day. We collected the main news for August 24.
Exchange of prisoners of war
Another exchange of prisoners of war between Ukraine and Russia took place. 115 Ukrainian soldiers returned home. Soldiers of the National Guard, the Armed Forces, the Navy, and the State Border Service were returned.
Subsequently, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets expressed hope that the exchange of prisoners of war between Ukraine and Russia will become periodic. According to him, Kyiv is "doing everything" to make this happen every week.
Ukraine used the Palyanytsia drone missile
On August 24, the Defense Forces struck the Russian military for the first time with the Palyanytsia drone missile.
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the drone missile is an "absolutely new class" weapon that was used on August 24. The result of the use of these weapons was destroying the enemy, says Zelenskyy.
Zelensky signed important bill into law
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law banning the activities of religious organizations connected to Russia in Ukraine. Such a document may terminate the activity of the Moscow Patriarchate church.
In addition, he signed the law on the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Intel officers blew up an ammunition warehouse in Russia’s Voronezh Oblast
The troops of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine struck a field warehouse of Russian ammunition in Voronezh Oblast.
In the warehouse, the Russians stored their artillery and tank shells, cartridges for small arms, and surface-to-air missiles. In total, there were more than 5,000 tons of ammunition.
Zelenskyy spoke about the purpose of the operation in Kursk Oblast
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the offensive of Ukrainian troops on Kursk Oblast of Russia was a "preemptive strike" that made it possible to avoid the encirclement of part of Sumy Oblast and the occupation of the city of Sumy.
Lithuania announced new aid
Lithuania has announced that it will provide a new defense aid package to Ukraine by September, which will include short-range air defense systems and ammunition. The country also revealed its plans to supply drones and finance demining.
The Lithuanian prime minister arrived in Kyiv and delivered a congratulatory speech at a solemn event on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine. She spoke in Ukrainian and emphasized that Lithuanians will be with Ukrainians at every step on the way to victory.
"We are doing and will continue to do everything to bring victory closer. Victory of light over darkness. The victory of good over evil. We will celebrate the victory of free people together with light, gas, and without Russians," Ingrida Šimonytė said.
President of Poland Andrzej Duda also visited the capital. He also took part in the celebrations on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine's independence.
The Defense Intelligence announced that Ukraine has plans to de-occupy Crimea
The Ukrainian military has plans to liberate occupied Ukrainian territories, including Crimea, and destroy the Crimean Bridge, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine stated. However, intelligence officers do not disclose details.
Minister Halushchenko denied negotiations with the Russian Federation regarding strikes on the energy system
Energy Minister German Halushchenko denied claims by Western media that Ukraine was allegedly conducting secret negotiations with Russia to end attacks on energy infrastructure. He stated: "We do not negotiate with terrorists."
Earlier, Le Monde and the Washington Post wrote that Ukraine and Russia were supposedly holding secret talks, but the operation of the Ukrainian army in Kursk Oblast of the Russian Federation disrupted them.
Other news
- Zelenskyy: The sick grandfather from Red Square will not dictate to us his red lines.
- Army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi received the highest military rank.
- For the first time, the EU will officially discuss sending its instructors to Ukraine — Welt.
- On Independence Day, military intelligence attacked providers and blocked dozens of resources of Russian industrial facilities.
- The soldier, who was on a hunger strike due to poor nutrition in the Odesa medical facility, announced that he was ready to stop.
- "There is a readiness for dialogue": the BBC learned the details of the meeting of the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate with Metropolitan Onuphrius.
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