Zelensky: War is ‘Returning Home’ to Russia in Independence Day Speech

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commended his military for its unexpected advancement into Russian territory during his Independence Day address on Saturday. He proclaimed that the ongoing conflict has now “returned to their home,” referencing the recent operations in Russia’s Kursk region.

In a pre-recorded video taken in a wooded area of the Sumy region, Zelensky marked the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union. He highlighted that this month’s surprising incursion into Kursk has prompted the Kremlin to experience some of the trauma that Ukraine has endured over the past two and a half years since the invasion began.

“Nine hundred-thirteen days ago, Russia unleashed war against us, including through the Sumy region,” declared Zelensky. “It violated not only our sovereign borders but also crossed the limits of cruelty and logic, driven by a single goal: to annihilate us.”

He continued, “Today, however, we celebrate Ukraine’s 33rd Independence Day. Whatever the enemy attempted to bring to our land has now returned to their own territory.”

Zelensky took the opportunity to mock Russian President Vladimir Putin, referring to him as “a sick old man from the Red Square” who perpetually threatens others with nuclear options. He ridiculed Putin’s ambitions to transform Ukraine into a “buffer zone” between Russia and NATO countries.

“[Putin], who has aimed to turn our land into a buffer zone, should consider preventing his country from devolving into a buffer federation. This is the response of independence,” he asserted.

Currently, Ukraine’s Kursk counter-offensive, which launched on August 6, has been making significant strides. According to military analysts, the situation remains dynamic, with reports indicating that Ukrainian forces are advancing in and around the Russian town of Russkaya Konopelka, located east of Sudzha in the Kursk Oblast. Fighting continues across various fronts in the area.

The Ukrainian military claims to have gained control over 488 square miles of territory and 93 settlements within Russia, including Sudzha.

During a joint press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, Zelensky stated that the Kursk operation is progressing as intended and has effectively “halted a Russian operation” that aimed to encircle parts of Sumy Oblast.

“Our objective is to demonstrate to (Russia’s) society what truly matters to (Putin) – the occupation of Ukraine’s land or the safety of the Russian population,” Zelensky remarked. “I am pleased to see that what I articulated to our partners has now been realized in action.”

On the same day, Zelensky announced the completion of a prisoner of war exchange between Ukraine and Russia. Each side released 115 prisoners, totaling 230 exchanged individuals, facilitated by officials from the United Arab Emirates.

Among the Ukrainian captives, 82 were taken during the defense of Mariupol, while all of the Russian prisoners were captured during Ukraine’s recent operations in Kursk.