Ukraine marks Independence Day as expert says a ‘panicked’ Putin lashes out

Key Points:

• Ukraine celebrated its 35th Independence Day amid ongoing Russian attacks, with intensified Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure and heightened security concerns due to warnings of possible terrorist attacks.
• Ukrainian forces have increasingly penetrated deeper into Russian territory, including near Moscow and St. Petersburg, prompting Russian President Vladimir Putin to react with heightened attacks on Ukrainian civilian areas in an attempt to weaken morale.
• European leaders, including those from Finland, Lithuania, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and the European Council, joined President Zelenskyy in Kyiv to show continued international support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and resistance.
• Recent Russian drone strikes have caused significant civilian casualties, including a deadly attack on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih, while Ukraine has targeted Russian economic infrastructure to disrupt Moscow’s logistics.
• Experts highlight that Ukraine’s military advances are causing panic in Russia, with Putin’s initial expectations of a quick conflict dashed, and emphasize the importance of sustained international support as a deterrent to further aggression by Russia and other adversaries.