Gratitude to Every Warrior and All Fallen Ukrainian Heroes Who Return Home on Their Shields – Address by the President

29 August 2024 – 20:25

Dear Ukrainians!

Today is a special and very important day for our state.

The year 2014. The seizure of Crimea. Battles in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The beginning of Russia’s hybrid, bloody war against Ukraine. And the beginning of Ukraine’s military resistance.

The heroism of thousands of our people. The dedication to our state and to the military oath.

The defense of Ukraine. And the Ukrainian flags – flags of honor to our warriors who gave their lives for Ukraine.

The year 2022. The full-scale invasion. Russia’s full-scale attempt to destroy Ukrainians. And Ukraine’s full-scale defense. The courage of our people. The strength of the Ukrainian spirit. And the gratitude – of all our people, of our entire state – to every warrior. And to all fallen Ukrainian heroes who return home on their shields.

Glory to Ukraine!

President Zelenskyy also met with and gave awards to the families of Ukrainians killed in the line of duty.

On This Day, Ukraine Pays Special Tribute to the Memory of All Our Fallen Warriors – The President Met with the Families of Ukraine’s Fallen Heroes

29 August 2024 – 16:47

On the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine fallen in the struggle for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the families of Ukraine’s Heroes and presented 16 Orders of the Golden Star and 22 certificates for apartments.

The President noted that today is a day when Ukraine pays special tribute to the memory of all fallen warriors.

“Since the beginning of this struggle, from the first operations in 2014 and in the current battles at the front, our state, our Ukrainian people can rely on the courage and dedication of many Ukrainians – truly heroic men and women who are carrying Ukrainian life on their shoulders and with their personal strength,” the President said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the Ukrainian state and people will stand firm in this war.

“So that our children and grandchildren, and their children and grandchildren, can live safely on their own land and according to their own rules, with the Ukrainian character that is so inspiring to the whole world today and that deserves to fully manifest itself in a truly peaceful and free life. And this will happen. And this will be the best and most worthy honoring of the memory of all Ukrainians whose lives were unfortunately cut short on the battlefield,” he said.

Those present observed a minute of silence in memory of all the warriors who gave their lives for Ukraine.

The President presented the Orders of the Golden Star to the families of the fallen Heroes of Ukraine. The highest state honor was awarded to:

Soldier Viktor Kuchuk. In positions under full enemy fire control, where only water and radio batteries could be delivered by drones, he held the defense for 7 days: personally destroying 23 Russian occupiers and 2 armored vehicles. On July 18 last year, he led a group in an assault on enemy positions and suffered multiple injuries from artillery strikes. Viktor Kuchuk died but managed to order his group to clear the trench.

Sergeant Leonid Yanhol. During one of the battles in the Zaporizhzhia direction, he was wounded but continued to hold back the enemy’s advance until reinforcements arrived. He covered the evacuation of the wounded, saving the lives of 13 brothers-in-arms and eliminating 9 occupiers. Leonid Yanhol was killed on July 23 last year during enemy artillery and tank shelling.

Senior Sergeant Yuriy Sikyrynskyi. He carried out combat missions in the Kharkiv, Sumy, and Donetsk regions. During an assault on June 14, 2023, he ordered his group to gain a foothold in enemy positions while he and another unit leader returned under fire to bring reinforcements. Yuriy Sikyrynskyi heard a shot from a self-propelled artillery unit and shielded his brother-in-arms, but both died in the explosion.

Senior Sergeant Oleksandr Kolodiazhnyi. A veteran since 2014, he defended Donetsk Airport and was part of the group that raised the national flag over the new terminal. He was wounded three times but returned to the front after treatment. In June 2019, during a reconnaissance mission, he was severely injured by an anti-personnel mine. Oleksandr Kolodiazhnyi was evacuated but died in the hospital.

Soldier Pavlo Dumanskyi. On November 20, 2022, he spotted a Russian tank entering the position his unit was defending and preparing to fire at the trench. With no time to warn others, Pavlo Dumanskyi decided to shield his brothers-in-arms with his body. He saved their lives but died from the shell explosion.

Colonel Serhiy Li. In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the commander of a combined unit seized an enemy stronghold and held it for two days, preventing the enemy’s advance. The Russian invaders remotely mined the stronghold, but Colonel Li managed to lead his fighters out of the encirclement. Serhiy Li died on October 9 last year from a gunshot wound while retreating after mining the front edge of the battalion’s defense area.

Senior Sailor Pavlo Malofeyenko. Near Avdiivka, he covered the retreat of the wounded with machine-gun fire until reinforcements arrived. He destroyed 7 Russian occupiers and held the position of the marines. On January 30, 2023, during one of the enemy assaults near Vodiane, Pavlo Malofeyenko was mortally wounded.

Junior Sergeant Serhiy Yarish. He was wounded but, under heavy fire, saved the life of his brother-in-arms and evacuated him and 3 other warriors from the battlefield. On August 9 last year, during shelling of marine positions, Serhiy Yarish sustained shrapnel injuries to his back. He and other warriors were trapped under the earth. The Junior Sergeant died from his wounds.

Senior Soldier Illia Dolmatov. In March 2022, he cleared a safe route through a minefield in the Kherson region, allowing a group of Ukrainian defenders to reach enemy positions and force the Russian occupiers to retreat. In the Donetsk direction, he provided aid to the wounded warriors and organized their evacuation. In September last year, Illia Dolmatov died while covering the retreat of his brothers-in-arms who had been ambushed.

Captain Eduard Sharan. The group he led stormed enemy positions in the Zaporizhzhia direction, clearing them and engaged in a second battle with the superior forces of the Russian occupiers, who began shelling. Eduard Sharan provided aid to the wounded, organized cover and evacuation, and continued to command his group. He evacuated one of the wounded on his back while continuing to fire at the enemy but sustained a fatal injury.

Staff Sergeant Mykola Bomko. On June 1 last year, he destroyed a T-72 tank along with the enemy unit commander. Despite being wounded, he helped his brothers-in-arms and evacuated them. He returned to take up a firing position and managed to disable another tank, but a shell from a different tank inflicted injuries to his torso and legs. He crawled to the tank and disabled it with a grenade but died from retaliatory fire.

Lieutenant Serhiy Hrytsenko. Commanding a mortar unit in the area of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region, he destroyed a T-72B tank, several “Tigr” armored vehicles, and a BTR-80. He led National Guardsmen in repelling enemy attempts to reclaim lost positions. On August 8 last year, during mortar shelling, Serhiy Hrytsenko ensured his subordinates were in a dugout before heading there himself, but he died from a mine explosion.

Major Anatoliy Loyuk. He repelled attacks in the Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions. On March 30, 2023, leading a “Stugna” anti-tank missile crew, he stormed an enemy position near Avdiivka, destroying an anti-tank missile complex and 8 occupiers, wounding 5 others. He continued to fight from his position but died from shrapnel wounds.

Major Ihor Puhach. He defended the Kharkiv region from the first day of the full-scale Russian invasion. Under his command, Guardsmen destroyed about 4 companies of Russian occupiers, 7 tanks, 13 armored personnel carriers, 22 vehicles, 4 MLRS, and 3 armored fighting vehicles. Personally, he eliminated about 100 Russian occupiers and 4 APCs. On June 28, 2022, a shell hit the shelter where Ihor Puhach was located, and he died from blast injuries.

Captain Denys Shevchenko. At a distance of 100 meters, he destroyed an enemy armored vehicle with a grenade launcher, killing the crew. In August last year, he defended the Serebrianske Forestry with his subordinates, halting the advance of “Storm-Z” troops. In battles in that area, he personally eliminated 11 Russian occupiers. Denys Shevchenko died on December 6, 2023, during artillery and mortar shelling of Guardsmen’s positions near Yampil

Captain Serhiy Kyrylenko. In February and March 2022, he participated in the defense of Mariupol. He saved the life of a wounded brother-in-arms, led a group of border guards out of complete encirclement, and evacuated two families from Mariupol. Last summer, he took part in the counteroffensive in the Zaporizhzhia direction. After breaking through the first defense line, Serhiy Kyrylenko was ambushed and injured. He managed to crawl out of the trench and warn his brothers-in-arms but died from critical blood loss.

The President also presented certificates for apartments to the families of 22 fallen Heroes of Ukraine. The documents were given to the relatives of 18 warriors of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 3 National Guardsmen, and 1 border guard.

The cost:

Natalia Kuznietsova, a soldier of the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade with the call sign “Iranka,” died defending Ukraine.

With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Natalia joined the ranks of the 3rd Separate Rifle Battalion of the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade. In… pic.twitter.com/LyOk3opUnB

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) August 29, 2024

Natalia Kuznietsova, a soldier of the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade with the call sign “Iranka,” died defending Ukraine.

With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Natalia joined the ranks of the 3rd Separate Rifle Battalion of the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade. In March 2023, she was awarded the Order for Courage 3rd class.

A year ago, she lost her beloved husband in the war – Viktor Panasko died defending Bakhmut in the Donetsk region.

Eternal memory and eternal glory to Ukrainian Heroes.

Сьогодні відправляв речі тих, хто прийняв останній бій.
Неймовірно важко дивитися на баули, діставати документи, телефонувати рідним, щоб спитати пошту.
І це все ще і в такий день.
Вірю, що все це не дарма.
Кожен день свободи – це друга дата на надгробку.
Кожен день має імʼя.

— Пан Зореслав. (@Zoreslav9) August 29, 2024

When I met with Ukraine pilots Juice (left) and Moonfish (right) I had a sick feeling they wouldn’t make it through the war. Juice died in Aug 2023, Moonfish died on Monday. They fought like hell for Ukraine, and the F16. Nickel on the grass men. Slava Ukrainii pic.twitter.com/uErBmyQGBa

— Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@AdamKinzinger) August 29, 2024

📸 Ukraine’s Air Force

— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) August 29, 2024

He was just 30.

— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) August 29, 2024

Lord, guard and guide the ones who fly
Through the great spaces in the sky.
Be with them always in the air,
In darkening storms or sunlight fair.

Ukrainian children deserve to grow up free from the fear of Russian forces bombing their playgrounds & hospitals, torturing & killing their parents, and kidnapping them from their homes. 🇺🇦#RussiaIsATerroristState pic.twitter.com/oDS5G3nO36

— U.S. Helsinki Commission (@HelsinkiComm) August 29, 2024

Donetsk Oblast:

The entrance to Donetsk region has become a memorial. It will be a long time before we can honor each defender who gave their life for Ukraine.

Today, we share in the grief. Glory to the heroes who remain forever with us! pic.twitter.com/4V4iRR2q1s

— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) August 29, 2024

Kharkiv Oblast:

This memorial for children killed in the russian invasion of Ukraine stands in Kharkiv as a heart-wrenching reminder of the price we pay for fear of escalation, imaginary red lines, and unnecessary restrictions.

People continue to bring new toys that will never be played with. pic.twitter.com/FmCUM01WTD

— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) August 29, 2024

Kyiv:

Relatives of the Ukrainian prisoners of war gathered near the Kyiv office of the International Committee of the Red Cross – they demand an explanation as to why the families do not have any information about the soldiers. @icrc any comment?
Go and visit Ukrainian POWs.
If you… https://t.co/0m8sempyXx

— Mariia Kramarenko (@KramarenkoMari3) August 29, 2024

Relatives of the Ukrainian prisoners of war gathered near the Kyiv office of the International Committee of the Red Cross – they demand an explanation as to why the families do not have any information about the soldiers.

@icrc any comment?
Go and visit Ukrainian POWs.
If you can’t access Ukrainian POWs, stop visiting russian POWs
You must keep your neutrality during conflicts, isn’t it?

Here’s the machine translation of the original/quoted tweet:

Relatives of the prisoners gathered near the Kyiv office of the International Committee of the Red Cross – they demand an explanation as to why the families do not have any information about the soldiers.

The Media Initiative for Human Rights explains that the ICRC is the only one with a mandate to visit places where prisoners of war are held. But they can do this only with the permission of the administration of the prison, detention center or colony, which the Russians do not give.

“What happened today under the walls of the Kyiv office of the International Committee of the Red Cross is a verdict on the entire system of international law and international organizations. Desperate relatives of prisoners, almost ready to self-immolate, because their relatives have been tortured and killed for years, actually storm the ICRC. And this is just the beginning,” says human rights activist Olga Reshetylova.

Video — Elena Belyachkova / Facebook

Pokrovsk:

I wanted to share a few thoughts, offering a snapshot of the current situation in general, and discuss a few key points.

– The situation in Pokrovsk is indeed severe but far from hopeless. Ukrainian command has the resources needed for stabilization, though this will require…

— Tatarigami_UA (@Tatarigami_UA) August 29, 2024

I wanted to share a few thoughts, offering a snapshot of the current situation in general, and discuss a few key points.

– The situation in Pokrovsk is indeed severe but far from hopeless. Ukrainian command has the resources needed for stabilization, though this will require difficult and potentially unpopular decisions.

– Resource shortages stem from both internal and external factors. Internally, issues include delayed mobilization, an ineffective recruitment process, an awful commanding culture, and the government’s struggle to balance public opinion with necessary measures. Externally, delays in Western aid, persistent restrictions on weapon use, insufficient military production ramp-up, and slow aid delivery contribute to the problem.

– The issues in Pokrovsk are not new. Delayed aid from the U.S., hindered by an isolationist faction in the US Congress, made the fall of Avdiivka easier for Russian forces. This was exacerbated by inadequate defenses behind Avdiivka, which Ukrainian leadership chose to overlook, shifting responsibility to already overstretched and undermanned brigades.

– The situation in Pokrovsk worsened with the Kursk offensive operation, which diverted experienced and motivated brigades, stripping stabilization reserves and allowing Russian forces to advance rapidly. This also echoes back to Bakhmut, where the decision to reinforce the semi-encircled city with experienced troops, instead of opting for a timely withdrawal, resulted in the loss of many skilled soldiers and officers, weakening the backbone of several effective units

– Western sanctions on Russia were never fully enforced, enabling Russia to maintain and even expand its pre-war military production. This leniency suggests that some Western countries left a “backdoor” open for a post-war return, allowing Russia to significantly increase military recruitment payouts without the anticipated economic collapse

– Russia is more formidable than many pro-Ukrainian analysts suggest but weaker than the pro-Russian camp portrays. Russia does not have unlimited resources: whether in terms of personnel, budget, or societal support. While it can be defeated, this will not happen if Ukraine and its Western partners continue to make the same mistakes.

– Mistakes can be mitigated by an abundance of resources. Russia’s ability to sustain the war despite its failures is largely due to its resource advantages. Unfortunately, Ukraine lacks similar resources, and the West is less inclined to bear the cost of these mistakes by Ukraine, even if this will become more costly for the West in the future.

– Despite the propaganda, Ukraine faces one of the most capable militaries in the world. Historical comparisons to the Russian army of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries reveal striking similarities, yet these armies won numerous large-scale wars. The achievements of Ukrainian soldiers on the ground should not be belittled

– Russia has failed to achieve its strategic objective thus far – overthrowing the government in Kyiv and turning Ukraine into a pro-Russian state. The war has been far less favorable for Russia than anticipated, and despite all its efforts, anything short of a complete occupation will not bring Ukraine back into its sphere of influence.

– Sooner or later, discussions about negotiations and a “frozen conflict” will resurface in the media again, suggesting that a post-war Ukraine with minimal foreign military aid and no security guarantees is preferable to the current situation. In reality, this will give Russia a significant advantage, allowing it to prepare for a potentially more successful invasion.

– If the West genuinely wants this war to end soon, now is the best time to provide Ukraine with the support it needs to gain a strong negotiating position. Forcing Ukraine into negotiations without such an advantage won’t succeed, just as Minsk I and Minsk II ultimately failed

After all, Ukraine has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to defy the odds and achieve victories – whether in the defense of Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy, the counteroffensive in Kharkiv, or the liberation of Kherson. Successful strikes on Russian targets deep within its territory, significant damage to the Black Sea Fleet, and inflicting hundreds of thousands of casualties is not something that people thought in January of 2022

I tend to pay little attention to what politicians say, considering statements about the counteroffensive, Bakhmut, Crimea, Russian missile stocks, and the war’s timeline. I’m not calling out anyone specific, but for analytical purposes, these proclamations have little value.

— Tatarigami_UA (@Tatarigami_UA) August 29, 2024

Here’s more from Tatarigami about what is going on in Pokrovsk:

As Russian forces continue their rapid advance toward Pokrovsk, now just over 10 kilometers from this critical logistical hub in Ukraine’s Donbas Oblast, concerns are growing over the town’s potential loss.

One issue for the public is the lack of clarity about why Pokrovsk is seen as different from any other lost settlement in the Donbas. To fully grasp the current situation, prognosis, and risks associated with the potential loss of Pokrovsk, we need to step back from the tactical level and shift our focus slightly eastward, starting with Avdiivka.

Before falling to Russian forces in February 2024, the Avdiivka area played a key role for Ukrainian troops for nearly a decade, serving as a fortress that secured vital logistical routes in the Donetsk oblast. It was also seen as a potential foothold for future Ukrainian efforts to deoccupy Donetsk.

Unsurprisingly, since 2022, Russia has committed substantial resources to capture Avdiivka, raising questions about whether the heavy losses incurred were justified even among Russians.

The goal of the operation was not merely to capture Avdiivka itself, but to gain access to the operational space behind it. Once Avdiivka was secured, it provided the Russians with multiple options and maneuverability.

This is a key aspect because, if we examine the war theater solely from a tactical standpoint – focusing on individual tree lines or single settlements – we may miss the broader operational objectives of the enemy and the potential consequences for Ukraine if these objectives are achieved.

The backbone of Ukraine’s logistics in Donetsk Oblast is under threat

Pokrovsk, a town with a pre-war population of 60,000, is situated west of Avdiivka at a crucial crossroads of multiple railroad lines. It has become a key delivery and railroad distribution hub, facilitating the supply of Ukrainian forces across a broad frontline, from Vuhledar to the north of Donetsk and beyond.

Currently, only two places in the Donbas serve this vital function – Pokrovsk and Kramatorsk. The significance of the location and length of the supply line becomes clear when viewed on a map:

When assessing the situation, we should remember that Russia doesn’t need to capture Pokrovsk to gain control over the railroad. Mere proximity to the town enables Russian forces to target trains and vehicles with artillery, mortars, and drones, effectively rendering the railroad hub unusable. It’s highly likely that train operations in the town have already been suspended due to these risks.

The significance of Pokrovsk extends beyond its rail connections; the town is also situated at an important road juncture, playing a similar role to the railroads in the transportation and distribution of supplies across the entire frontline.

The road linking Pokrovsk to Kostyantynivka has long been a target of Russian offensive efforts. Cutting off this road would complicate the resupply of troops engaged in the Bakhmut-Horlivka sector.

The potential loss of Pokrovsk poses a serious operational threat to the logistics of the entire region, disrupting supply lines from Vuhledar in the south to Horlivka in the north. The loss of both the road and railroad would exacerbate the situation for Ukrainian forces in the Donbas, leading to the potential loss of Kurakhove, Vuhledar, and areas both south and north of Toretsk.

Another significant concern is the political aspect: Pokrovsk is located just over 20 kilometers from the administrative border of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Given that Russian forces re-entered Kharkiv Oblast from the north in May 2024, there is little reason to believe that Putin plans to halt at the administrative borders of the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts.

If Pokrovsk falls, Russian forces would face minimal obstacles in advancing toward Dnipro, potentially extending their control into another administrative region of Ukraine and broadening the list of occupied oblasts.

Russia’s rapid advance in Donbas undeterred by Ukraine’s invasion of Kursk Oblast

Since the fall of Avdiivka, Russian forces have advanced more than 25 kilometers westward into Ukrainian territory. The concern is not about the territorial losses, but the pace at which Russian forces are moving through fortified areas.

Starting from July, the rate of Russian advancement in this region has accelerated, allowing them to bypass multiple defensive lines that Ukraine hastily constructed after the fall of Avdiivka.

The Finnish OSINT group Black Bird has mapped Ukrainian defenses visible through satellite imagery, helping to visualize the situation. As seen on their map, Russian forces have moved beyond several defensive positions, and with the full control of Novohrodivka, only one defensive line remains before reaching the outskirts of Pokrovsk itself.

Satellite imagery analysis of the seized positions shows evidence of artillery shelling and bombing, though not as extensive as in other frontline areas. This likely suggests that Ukrainian troops in the Pokrovsk direction were forced to retreat multiple times, lacking sufficient forces and resources to mount an organized defense.

While there have been many discussions and concerns about the lack of fortifications behind Avdiivka, which are entirely valid, the major issue remains the shortage of available manpower and units to defend those positions. No matter how well-constructed or numerous the defenses are, if they are only staffed at 10-20% of the required capacity, it’s unsurprising that Russian forces are able to overrun them so quickly.

Typically, in situations like this, both Ukraine and Russia deploy additional forces to stabilize the problematic part of the frontline. This often involves pulling one or more battalions from quieter sectors and redirecting them to more critical areas. However, after Ukraine was compelled to redeploy its resources to the Kharkiv Oblast and then to Sumy for the Kursk operation, the number of available units for such stabilization efforts was significantly reduced.

As a result, Ukraine was unable to stabilize this section of the frontline, just like in other areas such as Toretsk and New York, where Ukrainian forces also faced significant challenges and were forced to retreat.

Is the fall of Pokrovsk imminent?

Does this mean that Pokrovsk is definitely lost? No, it does not, but the likelihood of such an outcome continues to grow, given the balance of forces on the ground and the concentrated Russian firepower in the Pokrovsk area. Despite Ukrainian attempts to divert Russian forces from Pokrovsk with the Kursk incursion, Russian leadership remains reluctant to redeploy a significant number of forces from this front, even at the expense of reputational and political costs.

It is imperative for Ukrainian forces to prevent a swift and easy takeover of Pokrovsk, as this could buy Ukraine the necessary time to organize a defense beyond the Pokrovsk area—an opportunity missed in a similar situation in Avdiivka. If Russia exhausts its forces to capture Pokrovsk, it may lack the resources or morale to advance further.

Furthermore, Ukraine has demonstrated a capacity for sudden and effective counterattacks against overextended enemies, an approach that has proven effective given the Ukrainian forces’ greater mobility and more decentralized approach compared to Russian forces.

The Ukrainian leadership has several options to stabilize the line, including deploying newly formed brigades, repositioning forces from the Kursk and Kharkiv areas, or pulling battalions from more stable fronts. Whether the Ukrainian command will take these steps remains to be seen, but such a scenario cannot be ruled out.

As of today, the situation around Pokrovsk is dire and dangerous, with the potential to create a serious operational catastrophe if the town is lost.

Ilovaisk:

On this day ten years ago, russia attacked Ukrainian troops who were using the agreed-upon green corridor from Ilovaisk. Hundreds were killed. This tragic event taught Ukrainians that russia cannot be trusted under any circumstances.

Today, we honor the fallen defenders of… pic.twitter.com/tqT6fbKk4A

— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) August 29, 2024

On this day ten years ago, russia attacked Ukrainian troops who were using the agreed-upon green corridor from Ilovaisk. Hundreds were killed. This tragic event taught Ukrainians that russia cannot be trusted under any circumstances.

Today, we honor the fallen defenders of Ukraine. Eternal memory, eternal glory.

10 years since the Ilovaisk massacre…

…the days when unmarked Russian regular military forces crossed the border and surrounded a large Ukrainian task force near the ill-fated town in Donbas…

…and then massacred Ukrainian columns retreating via what was supposed to be…

— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) August 29, 2024

10 years since the Ilovaisk massacre…

…the days when unmarked Russian regular military forces crossed the border and surrounded a large Ukrainian task force near the ill-fated town in Donbas…

…and then massacred Ukrainian columns retreating via what was supposed to be safe ways out upon an agreement that Russia despicably violated.

At least 366 Ukrainian soldiers were killed, over 400 wounded, and over 300 were taken prisoner.

One of the most painful Ukrainian tragedies of the war’s early stage and one of the most detestable war crimes that put a giant mark of abomination and shame on fascist Russia’s face.

Ever since then, August 29 has been the Remembrance Day for Ukrainian Defenders.

We remember.

Kherson Oblast:

Destroyed Russian BUK-M3 air defence system. Kherson region. 27.08.2024https://t.co/hfsyJ4JSc0 pic.twitter.com/2kH4JyZ1bq

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 29, 2024

The Russians continue to fire missiles at Ukraine from a safe distance, as Ukraine does not have permission to launch long-range strikes. pic.twitter.com/5b1zocSWEl

— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) August 29, 2024

But wait, it gets worse:

🚨 Without immediate action from @SecBlinken, $6.2 billion in Ukraine aid will expire in ONE MONTH!

Last year, the @WhiteHouse allowed $1.75 billion in Ukraine aid expire.

Get the facts and make sure that @SecBlinken doesn’t let it happen again 👇 pic.twitter.com/OdF76S0yfe

— Razom for Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@razomforukraine) August 29, 2024

I do not know how this Dutch statement is actually going to play out in reality:

Ukraine can use Dutch F-16s for strikes against Russia – the Netherlands

“We have not imposed any restrictions on the use and range of the F-16s, provided that the laws of war are observed,” Royal Netherlands Air Force General Onno @CDS_Defensie Eichelsheim told NOS.

Dutch… pic.twitter.com/9lvkEmavAZ

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) August 29, 2024

Ukraine can use Dutch F-16s for strikes against Russia – the Netherlands

“We have not imposed any restrictions on the use and range of the F-16s, provided that the laws of war are observed,” Royal Netherlands Air Force General Onno @CDS_Defensie Eichelsheim told NOS.

Dutch Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans later made a similar statement.

“The law of war states that if Ukraine is attacked from the Russian side, Ukraine may also attack military targets. For the F-16s, that would mean that if a missile is fired from Russia, for example, you can intercept it with an F-16 over Russia as well,” the @DefensieMin said.

The Minister also added that air bases from which Russian fighter jets take off and from which bombs are fired are also legitimate targets within the law of war.

Source: https://nos.nl/artikel/2534955-commandant-der-strijdkrachten-oekraine-mag-nederlandse-f-16-s-in-rusland-inzetten & https://nos.nl/artikel/2534974-brekelmans-oekraine-mag-nederlandse-f-16-s-inzetten-op-russisch-grondgebied

Lithuania:

We cannot allow Russian bombers to be better protected than Ukrainian civilians are. Let’s ask ourselves if we are being honest about how much we actually support Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/nIF3IdQjDZ

— Gabrielius Landsbergis🇱🇹 (@GLandsbergis) August 29, 2024

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron.

First, some adjacent material from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

Furry friends help to boost morale on the frontlines.

📹: @United24media pic.twitter.com/O95GIKDCTm

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) August 29, 2024

And a new video from Patron’s official TikTok:

@patron__dsns

Пам’ятаймо про кожного захисника та захисницю з кожним подихом, який залишився нам на цій землі. Вічна памʼять.

♬ оригінальний звук – Patron_official

Here’s the machine translation of the caption:

Let us remember each and every defender with every breath we take on this earth. Eternal memory.

Open thread!

We Are Working with Partners to Supply the Frontline Not Only with Weapons and Shells but Also with the Power of Our Unity – Address by the President

28 August 2024 – 20:06

I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!

The most important. The front. There was a report from the Commander-in-Chief. The Pokrovsk and other directions in the Donetsk region. The situation is extremely difficult, the key Russian efforts and their largest forces are concentrated there, and the resilience of each of our units, our ability to destroy the occupier, are now very important. I want to thank every soldier, every commander who is holding their positions. The Commander-in-Chief also reported on our operation in the Kursk region. We continue to expand the territory under our control in the designated areas near the border of Ukraine. Today, as every day, our exchange fund has also been replenished. Thank you, warriors! This is something that will help bring home many of our people from Russian captivity. We must also understand now that all the pressure we have transferred to Russia means that they cannot put any more pressure on our Donetsk region.

Today, the reports were also made by the Minister of Energy. On the recovery after the Russian strikes. Repair crews, the relevant municipal services and state agencies are working as hard as they can. We must achieve deficit reduction. And I thank everyone who is working for this cause.

Today I also held a long meeting with Government officials on preparations for the new school year. The priority is obvious. Wherever possible, children should go to school offline this year. The Government, regional authorities and communities must ensure all the conditions for this. And this is an absolute strategic priority, it is about preserving normalcy in Ukraine, preserving opportunities for children to receive a proper education. All Government officials have absolutely clear tasks. The maximum number of schools should be opened, and the necessary decisions for this are clear to the Government.

Today I met with the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. I thanked them for supporting our society and our state. And we will continue to do everything to ensure that Ukraine increases its potential in everything and strengthens its independence.

A meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council was also held. The Minister of Defense of Ukraine informed our partners about our most urgent needs at the moment. And in particular, in air defense, in the protection of critical infrastructure. Today, throughout the day, the consequences of the Russian strike on Kryvyi Rih are being eliminated – it was ballistics again. There was a strike of the guided aerial bomb on Kupyansk – right in the center of the city, people were under the rubble. Unfortunately, some people died. My condolences to their families and friends. All our partners should be more active – much more active – in countering Russian terror. This terror must never become some kind of new alleged “normalcy” for Europe. In addition, we are working with partners to supply the frontline – supply it not only with weapons, and not only with shells, but also with the power of our unity with partners. Truly effective unity – long-ranged. We continue to insist that their determination now – lifting the restrictions on long-range strikes for Ukraine now – will help us to end the war as soon as possible in a fair way for Ukraine and the world as a whole. The defense of life has the same meaning everywhere. I thank everyone in the world who is helping us!

Glory to Ukraine!

The cost:

In the first picture, my Mykhailo is firmly holding Oleksandr Tsaruk’s shoulder. They embrace as friends, colleagues, teachers and students, and Ukrainians, for whom no sorrow is foreign. In the second picture, he holds me.

Oleksandr is an experienced sapper. He has cleared… pic.twitter.com/Yhhg7ddOOG

— Patron (@PatronDsns) August 28, 2024

In the first picture, my Mykhailo is firmly holding Oleksandr Tsaruk’s shoulder. They embrace as friends, colleagues, teachers and students, and Ukrainians, for whom no sorrow is foreign. In the second picture, he holds me.

Oleksandr is an experienced sapper. He has cleared many kilometers of our land in various regions.
But searching for mines is not just about experience. And so, one day, the vehicle Oleksandr was in hit a damned Russian mine.
Soon, Oleksandr will go abroad to get prosthetics. We cannot cover the whole amount, but we can raise $ 23000. Because we will, right?

Here is the fundraiser for Oleksandr’s new legs 🦿: https://send.monobank.ua/jar/4bdwGMrSxm
My PayPal: [email protected]

And here is a lick for all the dream-makers 👅

The restrictions on strikes on the military facilities inside russia must be lifted.
We have to Kill the Archer, Not the Arrow. pic.twitter.com/cXqznBQFsy

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) August 28, 2024

New interactive map tool🌎

We created a tool to illustrate the extent to which US restrictions on Ukraine’s use of ATACMS constrain Ukraine’s ability to strike important military infrastructure in Russia.

Link to tool: https://t.co/rkVQao2iiu https://t.co/wLFw7w7Suf pic.twitter.com/JacwQZT2X7

— George Barros (@georgewbarros) August 28, 2024

Today’s Ukraine-NATO Council meeting was convened on the instructions of the Ukrainian President in response to the massive russian missile attacks on our cities.

Two days ago, the terrorist state launched more than 200 missiles and drones, which led to killing innocent people… pic.twitter.com/6TJVzz2lwQ

— Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) August 28, 2024

Today’s Ukraine-NATO Council meeting was convened on the instructions of the Ukrainian President in response to the massive russian missile attacks on our cities.

Two days ago, the terrorist state launched more than 200 missiles and drones, which led to killing innocent people and destroying critical infrastructure.

I informed our partners on the current situation. We discussed further plans to supply air defense systems and missiles for them. We need to strengthen our air defenses.

We are also continuing consultations, in particular in bilateral formats, regarding the creation of an air defense shield — the so-called security belt over the western regions of the country.

I am grateful to our allies for their steadfast support and promised assistance. More and more allies support the lifting of restrictions on the use of long-range weapons for Ukraine’s self-defense within the framework of international law.

Lithuania:

Thank you for your staunch support!
🇺🇦🤝🇱🇹 https://t.co/3zFKzZS2pl

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) August 28, 2024

Washington DC:

🇺🇸🇺🇦 Lockheed has not yet been contracted by the DoD to help sustain Ukraine’s F-16s. They say they could support the training of additional Ukrainian pilots at their new 🇷🇴 facility, and maintenance in 🇵🇱, but haven’t been asked.

Zero sense of urgency. 🤦‍♂️

Via @audrey_decker9 pic.twitter.com/Qck5GmChjJ

— Colby Badhwar 🇨🇦🇬🇧 (@ColbyBadhwar) August 28, 2024

The UK and France are eager to allow Ukraine to strike military targets deep within Russian territory while the US and Germany are opposed. Why? https://t.co/HWwibJ719z pic.twitter.com/E7GQUHagr4

— Financial Times (@FT) August 28, 2024

The Financial Times has the details:

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stepped up his appeals to allies to lift all their restrictions on the use of western weapons against targets on Russian territory after Moscow launched its biggest mass missile and drone strikes on Ukraine since February 2022.

Zelenskyy has made it Ukraine’s top diplomatic priority to persuade Washington and other western capitals to allow it to hit air bases and other military sites deep within Russia that are used to launch strikes against Ukraine.

“The US, UK, France and other partners have the power to help us stop terror,” the Ukrainian leader said.

The issue has divided Kyiv’s allies: the UK and France are eager to allow Ukraine to strike military targets deep within Russian territory while the US and Germany are opposed.

What capabilities is Zelenskyy referring to?
Ukraine has been handed missiles with ranges of up to 300km but told they cannot be used to hit targets in Russia.

These include the long-range version of the ground-launched Army Tactical Missile System or ATACM provided by the US earlier year and the UK-French-built Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missile, called the Scalp-EG by France, which Paris and London began supplying last year.

Kyiv wants the German-made Taurus, which has a range of 500km, twice that of the Storm Shadow, and a more powerful warhead. But Berlin has so far refused to supply them.

Ukraine also wants the right to use its newly arrived F-16 fighter jets — US-made but supplied by Denmark and the Netherlands and soon by Norway and Belgium — to bomb targets in Russia.

Why are Kyiv’s allies so reluctant?
In short, because the Biden administration and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are worried about the risk of escalation if western weaponry hits Russia itself.

Ukraine and its more hawkish supporters say Washington and Berlin have repeatedly invoked the risk of provoking the Kremlin to justify not sending Ukraine precision missiles, tanks and F-16 fighter jets. But on each occasion when those weapons have eventually been supplied, Moscow’s threats have come to nothing.

Still, Washington persists. “Of course, we’re worried about escalation,” deputy Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said earlier this month. “So just because Russia hasn’t responded to something doesn’t mean that they can’t or won’t in the future.”

What about Britain and France?
London has been making the case to Washington for months that Ukraine should be able to fire UK Storm Shadows at targets inside Russia.

Well-placed figures have told the FT that the British government sent a request to both Washington and Paris earlier this summer to that effect.

The Biden administration has denied it is withholding permission. “The idea of a veto is too strong,” said one person familiar with the situation.

However, Downing Street admits that consensus among western allies is needed on such a contentious issue and that they should move in lockstep.

Another consideration is that Storm Shadow missiles may require access to US intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in areas where Russia is jamming GPS signals that the weapons use for targeting, according to the person familiar with the discussions.

French President Emmanuel Macron in May gave his support to Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory using French missiles. “We should allow [the Ukrainians] to neutralise the military sites . . . from where Ukraine is attacked,” he said. They should not be permitted to hit other targets or civilian facilities, he added.

Asked whether this was still the French position, an Elysée palace spokesperson referred the FT back to the president’s comments.

Will Kyiv be allowed to use long-range missiles in Russia?
Quite possibly. On previous occasions Britain and France have moved ahead when the US was still reticent. They were the first to pledge western tanks to Ukraine. And they supplied cruise missiles last year when Washington was still refusing to send long-range ATACMS.

Britain unilaterally allowed Kyiv to use Storm Shadows to target Russian ships and naval facilities in occupied Crimea to devastating effect when the US still had misgivings about Ukrainian strikes on the peninsula. Grant Shapps, who was defence secretary until July, is understood to have pushed hard for Kyiv to be able to use the technology.

“The US didn’t authorise, or not authorise, the use on that occasion,” said one Whitehall figure.

US policy has also tended to evolve — albeit with a lag. It relented on tanks and more recently on long-range ATACMS. The latter were used earlier this year to strike Crimea. Berlin also relented on tanks, but is holding firm on Tauruses.

Much more at the link including lots of diagrams and images.

The Czech Republic:

There is no more important task in Czech foreign and security policy today than the continued support for Ukraine, – president of Czechia Petr Pavel.

Petr Pavel said that Russian aggression has given new urgency to NATO’s mission. According to him, Czech foreign policy should… pic.twitter.com/3AnOriqcSS

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) August 28, 2024

There is no more important task in Czech foreign and security policy today than the continued support for Ukraine, – president of Czechia Petr Pavel.

Petr Pavel said that Russian aggression has given new urgency to NATO’s mission. According to him, Czech foreign policy should ensure that “rules continue to apply in the international environment and that the law of the strongest does not prevail.”

“Stopping, and above all, the failure of Russian aggression is in our vital interests,” Pavel emphasized.

He added that a Russian victory would have consequences for economic and political stability.

https://ceskenoviny.cz/zpravy/podpora-ukrajiny-je-ukolem-zahranicni-a-bezpecnostni-politiky-rekl-pavel/2560119

The Ukrainians have brought down another Russian Su-25. This time in Kramatorsk.

The 28th Mechanized Brigade released a video of the destruction of a russian Su-25 jet aircraft. pic.twitter.com/wqdWx8Y1CD

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) August 28, 2024

Start your day with great news 🔥
Ukrainian warriors from the 28th Mechanized Brigade shot down a russian Su-25 plane in the Kramatorsk direction.
Bravo! pic.twitter.com/HpHhWiuLya

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) August 28, 2024

The Kursk cross border offensive:

Debris of a M30 DPICM GMLRS in the Kursk region. https://t.co/TtbGILa3HA pic.twitter.com/NvSc73jgjM

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 28, 2024

Destruction of Russian electronic warfare system “Sapphire” in the Kursk regionhttps://t.co/fyBJY2yifF pic.twitter.com/UOENbOpTL0

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 28, 2024

Pokrovsk:

All eyes in Ukraine are on Pokrovsk. The city isn’t deserted—there’s a constant flow of movement. Some are evacuating, others are arriving to help, and residents are steadily replenishing supplies. The city is tense, preparing for the looming Russian offensive. pic.twitter.com/708fBcSooR

— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) August 28, 2024

Pokrovsk.
The last days of an empty park.
Soon the “Russian world” will touch the city and everything on the photo will cease to exist. pic.twitter.com/2ugZ2RpIZM

— Stanislav Aseyev (@AseyevStanislav) August 28, 2024

The situation in Pokrovsk and in the Pokrovsk direction is very challenging, the Russian army continues pushing there.

Only ATMs will work in Pokrovsk from September 2, and banks to stop working in the city – Donetsk Regional Military Administration.

“There are still 38,000… pic.twitter.com/zkIeuh1Edi

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) August 28, 2024

The situation in Pokrovsk and in the Pokrovsk direction is very challenging, the Russian army continues pushing there.

Only ATMs will work in Pokrovsk from September 2, and banks to stop working in the city – Donetsk Regional Military Administration.

“There are still 38,000 people and about 1,900 children in the city – all of them must evacuate to safer regions of Ukraine,” said Vadym Filashkin, head of the Donetsk Military Administration, emphasizing that the security situation is difficult due to regular enemy shelling.

In a few weeks, the Russians managed to get closer to Pokrovsk at a distance of less than 12 kilometers.

Due to the difficult combat situation, a strict curfew has been imposed in the city – it is possible to move freely only from 11 am to 3 pm.

There are huge queues outside post offices as people prepare for evacuation and try to send their belongings.

Every day, evacuation trains depart from the railway station for Lviv and Rivne. 11 cars are completely full. Most of those leaving are women and children.

Most shopping centers and food and service establishments are closed or preparing to close.

Local authorities are urging residents not to delay evacuation and to move to a safe area as soon as possible.

📹: “We leave our hearts here…” – Maryna, one of the people who has to evacuate from Donetsk region, poured her heart out and shared the horror of being forced to leave her home.

Public discussions increasingly suggest that offensive operations in the Pokrovsk area will stop or slow down due to worsening weather conditions in September. However, I’m not so sure – last year’s offensive on Avdiivka started on October 10th and continued through February

— Tatarigami_UA (@Tatarigami_UA) August 28, 2024

Good comment on the topic, in Ukrainian:https://t.co/jrBdlMFp7h

— Tatarigami_UA (@Tatarigami_UA) August 28, 2024

Here’s the machine translation:

If you have at least a minimal understanding of the internal kitchen, then there will be nothing strange about the Pokrovsky failure. There will be no time to list small and large punctures. We are simply faced again with the lack of punishment of the people who created this situation. And systematic lies are also practiced, due to the fear of being punished for unpleasant reports of the real situation, that is why I have what I have.
Honestly, I have never seen anything like this, everything is falling apart too quickly.

There will be no Bakhmut fortress here, Pokrovsk will fall much faster. The forces are no longer the same, the people are no longer the same.
Of course, on paper, appropriate measures will be taken and blah blah blah. Will this help? Very unlikely.

Be that as it may, there are many units in the direction that are actively fighting and will need your help. Therefore, throw the boys at Pokrovsky, God forbid, and we’ll hook it, not for the first time

Mariinka, Donetsk Oblast:

Russian T-90M destroyed by the 46th Brigade of Ukraine. Mariinka, Donetsk region. https://t.co/biTaqPgIri pic.twitter.com/AfYLTax6mA

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 28, 2024

Izmailivka, Donetsk Oblast:

⚡ A whole family killed as a result of a Russian shelling of Izmailivka, Donetsk region.

The bodies of parents aged 45 and 53, as well as their 17-year-old son and 24-year-old daughter were recovered from the debris by rescuers.https://t.co/2sOIzLInQD

— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) August 28, 2024

United24 Media has the details:

Russian forces killed a whole family in a strike in Donetsk region – an investigation has been launched.

According to the investigation, on August 28, 2024, the Russian armed forces dropped an air bomb on the village of Izmailivka in the Pokrovsk district.

The munition hit a private residence, causing the collapse of the building. A whole family perished under the rubble – parents aged 45 and 53, as well as their 17-year-old son and 24-year-old daughter. Their bodies were recovered from the debris by rescuers.

Preliminarily, Russian forces used a guided air bomb for the strike.

Under the procedural guidance of the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office, a pre-trial investigation has been initiated into a criminal case regarding violations of the laws and customs of war (Part 2, Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Prosecutors are taking all possible and necessary measures to document the war crimes committed by the representatives of the Russian armed forces.

Kharkiv:

Our school kids are about to start their third year of online classes. In Kharkiv, we are bombed too often by our genocidal neighbor to safely gather children in one building.

Constant explosions, blackouts, separated families, and lost friends have already taken so much. Now,… pic.twitter.com/1iwe2IYvUW

— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) August 28, 2024

Our school kids are about to start their third year of online classes. In Kharkiv, we are bombed too often by our genocidal neighbor to safely gather children in one building.

Constant explosions, blackouts, separated families, and lost friends have already taken so much. Now, the normalcy of attending school is also stolen from our children.

I feel enraged for them. For what sins are they robbed of their childhood?

Yet, kids still gather for small school concerts, trying to maintain a sense of community. The video is a fragment of a Ukrainian Independence Day concert my nephew sent me.

Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast:

Russian forces bombed an administrative building in Kupyansk, Kharkiv region, injuring three civilians, Suspilne Kharkiv reported.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) August 28, 2024

The number of injured as a result of the russian airstrike on Kupyansk In Kharkiv region has increased to 11, including two police officers, the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office reported. pic.twitter.com/oQJix4NBgI

— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) August 28, 2024

Rostov Oblast:

/2. Same Russian oil depot was already targeted at the beginning of the month, but less successfully. https://t.co/fcMG0Jjac0

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 28, 2024

/4. At about 11 p.m. local time, one of the three burning fuel tanks became depressurized. As a result, another, fourth tank caught fire. More than 200 people are currently trying to put out the fire. pic.twitter.com/vpjBZBLCAE

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 28, 2024

The fire at the ‘Atlas’ oil depot in Rostov region of russia has intensified, spreading to additional tanks.
There’s a risk of it becoming another prolonged disaster like the Proletarsk oil depot fire, which has been burning for 11 days 👀🍿 pic.twitter.com/E2WwaQiH2D

— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) August 28, 2024

Kirov Oblast, Russia:

Also Russian oil depot in Kotel’nich, Kirov Oblast of Russia was attacked by drones, 1120km from the frontline. Some Russian sources claim that there is no fire, other claim that one fuel tank is burning. It’s also the first time when objects in Kirov Oblast of Russia were… https://t.co/MWTdm3o4lZ pic.twitter.com/dcuo2TSO4p

— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 28, 2024

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

The only new Patron tweet was the one I posted up top and their are no new Patron videos today. Here is some adjacent material.

Hi Bro pic.twitter.com/N7IS3zywy0

— UkrARMY cats & dogs (@UAarmy_animals) August 24, 2024

With friends pic.twitter.com/3flmNvz3XN

— UkrARMY cats & dogs (@UAarmy_animals) August 24, 2024

Open thread!