LAST UPDATE | 24 Aug 2022

UKRAINE IS ON alert as it marks its independence from Russia.

Air raid sirens have been sounding in Kyiv this morning as president Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed in an Independence Day address that his country would fight Russia’s invasion “until the end” and would not be making “any concession or compromise”.

Today also marks six months since Vladimir Putin’s forces invaded their neighbour, with the expectation that the clash would result in a speedy victory.

US President Joe Biden announced today that he is sending $2.98 billion (€3 billion) in new military aid to Ukraine that will enable forces there to fight for years to come.

In a statement, Biden said the aid will allow Ukraine to acquire air defence systems, artillery systems and munitions, drones and other equipment “to ensure it can continue to defend itself over the long term”.

Members of the 305th Aerial Port Squadron load munition packages bound for Ukraine 🇺🇦 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. pic.twitter.com/FT3Zqun7ty

— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) August 23, 2022

“I know this independence day is bittersweet for many Ukrainians as thousands have been killed or wounded, millions have been displaced from their homes, and so many others have fallen victim to Russian atrocities and attacks,” Biden said.

Officials said it will include money for the small, hand-launched Puma drones, the longer-endurance Scan Eagle surveillance drones, which are launched by catapult, and, for the first time, the British Vampire drone system, which can be launched off ships.

Ukraine “can and will win this war” with Russia, Boris Johnson said today during his visit to Kyiv.

The UK Prime Minister, making his last visit to Ukraine before leaving office, said the UK “will continue to stand with our Ukrainian friends” as he set out a further £54 million package of military aid.

This will include 2,000 drones and loitering weapons, which can be used to target Russian vehicles and installations.

He also received the Order of Liberty, the highest award that can be bestowed on foreign nationals, for the UK’s support for Ukraine.

In a video address yesterday Zelenskyy said:

“We don’t care what army you have, we only care about our land. We will fight for it until the end.”

“We have been holding strong for six months. It’s tough but we have clenched our fists and we are fighting for our destiny,” he said.

“Every new day is a reason not to give up. After such a long journey we do not have the right not to go on to the end,” he said.

Referring to Russia, he added: “We will not try to find an understanding with terrorists.

“For us Ukraine is the whole of Ukraine. All 25 regions, without any concession or compromise.”

With reporting by Eoghan Dalton