These images show the Ukrainian flag waving on the destroyed building in Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia.
The footage shows a drone approaching the destroyed building in Robotyne and capturing the Ukrainian flag waving on top of it.
The images were obtained from the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade on Wednesday, 23rd August, along with a statement claiming: “Glory to the soldiers of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade!”
The images were also relayed by the Office For Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Ukraine celebrates its 32nd anniversary of independence today, 24 August.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 546th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 24th August 2023, Russia had lost about 259,160 personnel, 4,375 tanks, 8,511 armoured combat vehicles, 5,333 artillery units, 723 multiple launch rocket systems, 494 air defence systems, 315 warplanes, 316 helicopters, 4,344 drones, 1,406 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 7,773 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 801 units of special equipment.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Russian private military organization Wagner, was listed among the 10 passengers who were reported as fatalities in the private jet crash that occurred north of Moscow on Wednesday, 23rd August.
Putin has made no reference to the incident, which took place precisely two months following a violent uprising by Wagner mercenaries against the Russian military.
During this rebellion, they downed multiple aircraft and caused the deaths of at least 13 Russian servicemen, as Wagner mercenaries advanced on Moscow.
Kathryn Stoner, who serves as the director of Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law, has pointed out that the timing of Prigozhin’s plane crash happened at the same time as reports about the formal removal of Russian General Sergei Surovikin from his position as the head of Russia’s aerospace forces.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has reported that Russian air defence systems successfully intercepted and brought down three Ukrainian drones within Russian territory.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made a statement, congratulating Ukraine on Independence Day.
He said: “I want to congratulate all Ukrainians on their Independence Day. August 24th is a testament to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and democracy and a day of pride in Ukraine’s strength and resilience. It is also a day of celebration of Ukrainian heritage and culture.
“Today also marks one and a half years since the Kremlin launched its brutal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine – 18 months of senseless aggression, causing death and destruction across Ukraine.
“As we join you in celebrating more than three decades as an independent country, we also mourn with you remembering your sons and daughters who have given their lives in defense of your country.
“We stand by you in the fight for your beloved country.
“It is because of you and your resilience that Ukraine will prevail, and Russia will pay a high price for what it has done.
“The United States will continue to stand with you and work with our Allies and partners to ensure Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself, to recover, and to thrive.”
