War in Ukraine: Ukraine welcomes rare commando operation in Crimea

Ukraine congratulated itself on Thursday for carrying out a rare commando operation In annexed Crimea and raised the national flag there for Independence Day, a symbolic victory in this fortress considered impregnable by Moscow.

The national flag flew again in Crimea.

“The enemy suffered losses among his men and equipment was destroyed. The national flag flew again in Ukrainian Crimea,” Ukrainian military intelligence said in a telegram.

He did not specify the mission of these special forces, but indicated that they came from the sea and landed near the villages of Olenivka and Mayak in the west of the peninsula, before departing “without casualties.” “All objectives and tasks have been accomplished,” assured Ukrainian intelligence, which does not always comment publicly on operations in the occupied territories.

Earlier in the day, he demanded destruction in the same areaA Russian surface-to-air missile system. Ukraine has pledged to liberate all of its territory occupied by Russia since the February 2022 invasion, as well as annexed Crimea since 2014, although it is heavily guarded by the Russian military.

The move and claim to hoist the Ukrainian flag on the peninsula is highly symbolic as it comes on Independence Day and the day after Ukrainian Flag Day.

“Free People”

“With Olina, we honor the memory of the fallen defenders of our country,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a message on Telegram after visiting the Saint Sophia Cathedral in the center. – City of Kyiv.

Dressed as usual in khaki green, the Ukrainian president, along with his wife Olena, laid a wreath at the foot of the memorial wall and placed portraits of soldiers killed at the front in this district of the historic capital. Morning sunlight. “We remember all those who gave their lives for freedom and independence, for the independent future of Ukraine,” he added, calling on Ukrainians to “not lose hope in these difficult times.”

A year and a half from the day the invasion began

Ukraine’s Independence Day this year comes a year and a half after the invasion began on February 24, as Kiev has been waging a fierce counteroffensive since June in an attempt to push the Russians out of its borders. “The Feast of the Free People. A party of strong people. A celebration of worthy people”, hammered Zelensky in a written message early Thursday.

On Khrechtchatyk Avenue, Kew’s main artery, residents strolled Thursday morning. Some took pictures with Russian tanks on display, while others wore the famous “vyshyvanka”, these loose embroidered shirts that have become a symbol of national unity against the invasion.

(AFP)