Date: 23 August 2022 Author: Grzegorz Kuczyński

Ukraine On High Alert For Possible Independence Day Attacks

Russia often makes political or military decisions based on history and symbolism. Ukraine is afraid its infrastructure might be struck in an attack on Independence Day (August 24). The Kremlin could seek to retaliate for the killing of Darya Dugina, daughter of ideologue Alexander Dugin, and a series of Ukrainian attacks against Russian targets in Russian-occupied Crimea.

SOURCE: Flickr

That is why Ukraine is now on alert for heightened strikes. Ukraine’s capital Kyiv banned August 24 public celebrations commemorating independence, citing a heightened threat of attack. Government employees and lawmakers were both asked to work from home. A long curfew is being introduced in Kharkiv Oblast due to the threat of increased provocations. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said Russia might target new places as Ukraine prepared to mark its Independence Day embroiled in a war. President Volodymyr Zelensky also urged Ukrainians to be vigilant ahead of the country’s independence day. The Ukrainian General Staff also reported that Russian forces would close certain sections of Russian airspace in the Lipetsk, Voronezh, and Belgorod Oblasts until August 25, which raises concerns. The Russian navy has added more of its Kalibr-carrying vessels to the Black Sea theater. Perhaps Russia is stepping up efforts to launch strikes against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and government facilities before or on Independence Day. But what are Russian capabilities now? The entire capital boasts an efficient missile defense scheme that covers in particular its strategic facilities and buildings. Ukrainian forces have just destroyed two Russian missiles targeting Kyiv, both launched in the Dnipropetrovsk region. In a worst-case scenario, Russia will target Ukraine from Belarus, which is closer to the capital. But Russia is most likely to target civilian infrastructure to kill people and break their spirits on the country’s independence day.

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