Key facts
- A Russian drone struck a residential building in Chernihiv on Ukraine's Independence Day, injuring at least 20 people, including three children.
- The attack was part of a wider barrage of Russian strikes across Ukraine that killed at least eight and injured 43.
- Ukraine reported striking Russian targets including Ozon logistics centers, a rocket fuel plant, and a MiG-29 fighter jet.
- Britain has agreed to share classified technical information on Storm Shadow missiles with Ukraine.
- Ten Ukrainian soldiers missing in action returned home from Russian captivity.
- The EU approved $7.1 billion in defense loans for Ukraine.
Russian forces launched a significant barrage of missiles and drones across Ukraine on August 24, the country's 35th Independence Day, resulting in at least eight deaths and 43 injuries nationwide. In Chernihiv, a drone struck a residential building, injuring at least 20 people, including three children, and igniting a fire. Chernihiv Oblast Governor Viacheslav Chaus condemned the attack as 'cynical' and perpetrated by 'Russian terrorists'.
Ukraine responded with a large-scale overnight attack on Russian territory, targeting Ozon logistics centers, a rocket fuel plant, and a MiG-29 fighter jet. The strikes caused Ozon shares to fall 12%. Three Ozon warehouses were reportedly hit in Dagestan, Stavropol Krai, and Adygea, with two employees injured in Dagestan.
In response to Britain's decision to share classified technical information on Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles with Ukraine, the Kremlin called the move 'fuel on the fire.' Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused London of hindering the peace process and stated Moscow was gathering intelligence on potential production sites for such missiles.
On the same day, Ukraine marked Independence Day by welcoming home 10 service members previously considered missing in action, who returned from Russian captivity in a special exchange via Belarus. Additionally, the European Union greenlit $7.1 billion in defense loans for Ukraine, intended for air defenses, missiles, ammunition, and radars, as part of its ongoing support for the war-torn country.