‘War has returned to Russia’: Zelenskyy hails Ukraine offensive in I-Day speech – Times of India

In a speech commemorating Ukraine‘s 33rd Independence Day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proclaimed that Russia’s military campaign against his nation has had unintended consequences, with the conflict now spilling over into Russian territory. Zelenskyy gave his address from Sumy, a region in close proximity to the Russian border, where Ukrainian forces crossed into Russia earlier this month.
“Russia was seeking one thing: to destroy us. Instead, today we celebrate the 33rd Independence Day of Ukraine. And what the enemy brought to our land has now returned to his home,” the Ukrainian president said.
Zelenskyy cautioned that those who had intended to transform Ukraine into a mere buffer zone should now be concerned about the prospects of their own nation.
“And those who sought to turn our lands into a buffer zone should now worry that their own country doesn’t become a buffer federation,” Zelenskyy said, adding that, “This is how independence responds.”

Rome statute ratified
Ukraine has taken a significant step toward aligning with international justice by ratifying the Rome Statute, allowing the country to join the International Criminal Court (ICC). President Zelenskyy signed the law, which is seen as a crucial move in Ukraine’s efforts to integrate further with the European Union. The law, published on the parliament’s website, marks a historic moment in Ukraine’s legal and international framework.
Ban on Moscow-linked religious groups
President Zelenskyy has also signed a law banning religious organizations affiliated with Moscow, marking a definitive break with a branch of the Orthodox Church accused of supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The legislation, passed by parliament earlier this month, gives the Ukrainian government the legal authority to shut down these institutions, further severing ties with Russia and solidifying Ukraine’s independent religious identity.
Emergency in Voronezh after drone strike
Following a drone strike, a portion of Russia’s Voronezh region, which shares a border with Ukraine, has been placed under a state of emergency by the Russian government. According to Alexander Gusev, the regional governor, Russian forces successfully intercepted five drones; however, the resulting debris caused a fire that triggered the explosion of explosive materials. Despite the absence of damage to civilian structures, precautionary measures were taken, including the implementation of emergency protocols in three settlements and the evacuation of 200 individuals.
The Ukrainian military asserts its control over 1,200 square kilometers (480 square miles) of Russian territory in the Kursk region. Moreover, within the past week, Ukraine has conducted drone attacks targeting crucial bridges, as well as Russian airfields and drone bases.