Ukraine braces for daily threats ahead of Independence Day, says Andriy Kovalenko
Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, responded to U.S. Embassy warnings about increased missile and drone threats ahead of Ukraine's Independence Day, stating on Radio NV that such attacks have become almost daily.
"Attacks are happening almost every day. Russian drones, missiles—it's a daily reality. Tying these threats to specific dates only unsettles society," Kovalenko said. "People need to live with the understanding that attacks could happen any day. Every Ukrainian should have a plan B in mind — what to do during an air raid alert, where to take shelter, and so on. This should be on everyone's mind until the war is over."
Kovalenko also debunked misinformation circulating in the media following the U.S. warning.
"Many Telegram channels and media outlets acted irresponsibly. They didn’t even read what the U.S. Embassy actually said and instead twisted it to suggest that strikes were being planned on decision-making centers, government buildings, and that Americans were urging people to leave Ukraine. None of that was mentioned in the embassy’s statement," he clarified.
Ukraine’s Independence Day, a national holiday celebrated annually on Aug. 24, marks the adoption of the Act of Declaration of Independence by Ukraine's parliament in 1991. This year’s celebrations will take place this Saturday.
On Aug. 20, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, noted that since Russia's full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022, more than 9,600 missiles and nearly 14,000 attack drones have been used against Ukraine.
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