Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa)

I thank Chinese leader Xi Jinping for his congratulations to Ukraine on our most important national holiday. Independence is an unconditional value for Ukrainians, as it is for all other sovereign nations. We appreciate that over these 35 years, we have built relations with China based on mutual respect and full recognition of the values of our peoples. We count on further cooperation and on China playing a strong diplomatic role in bringing Russia’s war against our country to an end. Peace can be our shared achievement.

I received warm and heartening congratulations from President Trump @POTUS on the 35th Anniversary of the Restoration of Ukraine’s Independence: “Dear Mr. President: On behalf of the American people, I congratulate you and the citizens of Ukraine on your Independence Day. August 24 is a day to celebrate our enduring friendship built on 35 years of diplomatic relations, a bond that has only deepened since Ukraine gained its independence. With courageous, brave, and talented people, you have built a great country. As you commemorate this important occasion, know that the United States stands in admiration of your resilient spirit, honors your sacrifices, and remains confident in your future as a sovereign, prosperous nation. Let us seize this moment to end the conflict and build a durable, lasting peace that unleashes the tremendous potential of Ukraine for generations to come. Sincerely, Donald J. Trump” These words, much like the sound of a Patriot PAC-3 launch, lift our spirits and give hope that lives can be protected from Russia’s savage attacks and that a dignified peace can be achieved. Thank you, President Trump and all Americans, for your support and congratulations!

Overnight, Russia carried out one of its largest ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv. The enemy launched more than 40 missiles of various types – most of them against the capital – and 120 attack drones. As of now, one person has been reported killed in Kyiv and the region, and 16 others have been injured. My condolences to all their families and loved ones. Everyone affected is receiving the necessary medical care. Emergency response efforts are continuing at three locations, with nearly 600 first responders involved. The relevant services are also working in the Odesa region. In total, over the course of this week, Russia has used around 1,450 attack drones, more than 1,640 guided aerial bombs, and 99 missiles of various types against Ukraine. People were injured in the Odesa region and Zaporizhzhia, and there was damage in the Sumy and Chernihiv regions. This week, the Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Donetsk, Zhytomyr, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Cherkasy regions also came under Russian attack. Protection against ballistic missiles is our constant and top priority right now. Interceptors are needed every day, and I am grateful to everyone who takes our agreements seriously and ensures the delivery of anti-ballistic capabilities. Right now, these packages are literally saving lives during every massive Russian attack. It is also essential that pressure on Russia continue alongside our work on anti-ballistic capabilities. Delays in adopting new decisions give Moscow the opportunity to plan not only new attacks against our people, but also ways to circumvent new sanctions. Thank you to everyone who is helping.

Today, our long-range sanctions worked across three areas on Russian territory, as well as on our temporarily occupied land and at sea. In particular, in response to Russian strikes on our civilian infrastructure and on our cities and communities, two major logistics facilities were hit – in the Moscow and Tambov regions, more than 500 and nearly 700 kilometers from the front line. The aggressor used them to supply sanctioned components for drone production and navigation equipment. An oil facility was also struck. In addition, Ukrainian mid-range strikes engaged targets in the waters of the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, and in our temporarily occupied Crimea. I thank the warriors of the Unmanned Systems Forces, the Special Operations Forces, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine – every unit of Ukraine's Defense Forces – for their precise and coordinated execution of these missions. Glory to Ukraine!

I presented state awards on the occasion of Ukraine’s Constitution Day to Ukrainian men and women who work for our state. First and foremost, to our military: I personally presented the Orders of the Golden Star to the Heroes of Ukraine, and also handed awards to the families of the fallen who, tragically, were awarded this title posthumously. I also presented awards to Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko; the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Epiphanius; our multi-time champion Liudmyla Luzan; war correspondent Andriy Tsaplienko; and the first responders and a police officer who saved the Dormition Cathedral after the Russian strike. I thank everyone who, through their work, words, faith, and actions, supports Ukraine and our people. Everyone who, in their place, helps build a free and strong state. A state that is fighting today for its freedom and independence. And it will certainly preserve them.