Ukraine is preparing to celebrate its Independence Day on August 24, a national holiday to commemorate the 1991 declaration of independence from the USSR.
And President Volodymyr Zelensky fears Russia's demonstrative actions: "We must be aware that Russia could do something particularly terrible , particularly violent," he said in his evening video message on Telegram.
The summit of the Crimean Platform - the Kiev initiative to identify ways for the liberation of the peninsula, also with international support - is expected to take place next week.
Meanwhile, Kiev continues to attack the Russian fleet in Crimea with drones , hitting the headquarters of the Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol.
Moscow also denounces that the Ukrainian army used chemical agents against Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia region. The Ministry of Defense speaks of signs of "severe poisoning" found in soldiers hospitalized, the agent used would be Botox type B toxin.
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Pope: "Proximity to Ukrainians who experience immense cruelty"
"We persevere in closeness and in prayer for the dear Ukrainian people who are experiencing immense cruelty". The Pope said this at the Angelus.
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Black Sea, Russia deploys other missile ships
Russia increases the number of its cruise missile ships in the Black Sea ahead of Ukraine's Independence Day, which falls on August 24th. This was stated by Natalia Humeniuk, spokesman for the "South" operational command of the country, quoted by The Kyiv Independent, specifying that Russia has five units with cruise missiles in the Black Sea, including a submarine.
