Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Sunday that Russia could take a provocative step to try Ukrainian soldiers as Kyiv celebrates 31 years of independence next week.
Zelensky pointed to media reports that Russia is preparing to hold a public trial of Ukrainian fighters captured during the siege of Mariupol, coinciding with Independence Day on Wednesday.
Ukraine’s Independence Day on August 24 marks six months since Russia invaded the former Soviet republic in a devastating war that left thousands dead.
Zelensky warned in a letter: “If this hated court is held and if our people enter these environments in violation of all agreements and international laws, violations will occur.” Negotiations cannot be done.”
Kyiv, the capital, has previously banned public gatherings and Kharkiv has also announced a ban on travel during holidays.
And Zelensky warned in another letter late Saturday that “Russia could try to do something particularly disgusting, particularly cruel.”
But he added: “We must be strong enough to resist all provocations” and “let the occupiers pay for their terror.”
Kharkiv has been under regular Russian bombardment for weeks, and emergency services said on Sunday that a woman had been killed and two other civilians wounded in the overnight attacks.
According to pro-Kiev governor Pavlo Krylenko, there are reports of four civilians killed by Russian fire in Donetsk.
The spokesman of the regional administration said: “Five cruise missiles were fired from the Black Sea to Odessa.” The air defense shot down two of them and hit three of them, which was an agricultural silo, without any casualties.
Source: Lebanon Debate
