Ukraine’s Independence Day: Celebrating Amidst Conflict and Conquest

As Ukrainians across the nation marked Independence Day, 19-year-old student Yuliia Vyshnivska braved warnings of increased Russian strikes. Despite the heightened risk, she and many others ventured to an exposed rooftop in Kyiv for a defiant open-air musical performance.

“I heard on the radio that Americans were warning of Russian bombings today, and I thought, ‘Oh my God, they want to kill us,’” she said, her traditional vyshyvanka glowing in the setting sun. “But we’re accustomed to this danger and are not afraid.”

With orchestral musicians energetically performing classic Ukrainian tunes, Vyshnivska reflected on the significant change since the last two Independence Days: Ukraine’s recent incursions into Russian territory. “When we heard about the advances in Kursk, it felt like a miracle. We’re overjoyed,” she said, though she also expressed a deep-seated anger. “We hate them for wanting to kill us. It’s awful to say, but it’s our reality.”

President Volodymyr Zelensky, who participated in various Independence Day events, addressed the nation from Sumy, near the newly occupied Russian territory. “Russia waged war on us, violating not only our borders but also common sense,” he stated. “Their cruelty has now come back to haunt them.”

Three weeks into Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk, Ukrainian forces have secured a significant portion of the territory they initially captured. On August 6, around 10,000 elite Ukrainian troops crossed the border, gaining more ground in days than Russia had achieved in Ukraine throughout the year. The BBC has been in contact with Serhiy, a Ukrainian fighter now in Russia, who reported that conditions have become more challenging. “Russia has grown stronger, with increased strikes from drones, artillery, and aircraft. Their sabotage and reconnaissance groups are also more active,” he noted, highlighting a rise in casualties. “Initially, we had minimal losses, but now, with the increased Russian firepower, we’re losing more soldiers. They’re fighting fiercely for their land, just as we are for ours.”

Serhiy expressed growing skepticism about the operation’s purpose. “Fighting for Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia makes sense, but Kursk feels less relevant,” he said. President Zelensky had mentioned that the operation aimed to capture Russian soldiers, leading to a prisoner swap that released 115 Ukrainians, among other undisclosed objectives. He also suggested it was a preventive measure to deter further Russian attacks on Sumy.

While the Kursk incursion has brought a sense of retribution, it remains a high-risk strategy. The rapid gains are juxtaposed with ongoing losses in eastern Ukraine, where Russia continues to advance. Moscow’s forces are closing in on Pokrovsk, a significant city in Donetsk region, which remains under Ukrainian control. “It’s a really tough situation,” said Nazar Voytenkov, a 23-year-old former TV journalist now volunteering with the 33rd Mechanised Brigade defending Pokrovsk. He observed that the Kursk operation had not eased pressure on Ukrainian troops in his area. “The Russians still have a large troop presence and continue to push forward. We remain under constant threat,” he explained.

The recent success on Russian soil invigorated Ukraine’s Independence Day celebrations, but the path to the next Independence Day remains fraught with danger and uncertainty. “This is a relentless, monotonous genocide,” remarked Oleksandr Mykhed, a prominent Ukrainian author, as we met him in a former Lenin museum now hosting his lecture. His new book explores how Ukraine’s classical writers would perceive the current invasion.

Mykhed criticized Russia’s attempts to normalize the conflict, turning missile strikes into routine occurrences. “They want the world to get used to it, making it an ordinary genocide,” he said.

When asked about the hope Ukrainians might hold onto until the next Independence Day, Mykhed emphasized the importance of resilience and patriotism. “Despite the exhaustion and grief, everyone has a duty to stay strong and ensure Ukraine’s survival,” he concluded. “You might be tired and disheartened, but you must continue to defend your country.”