On August 24, 2023, Ukraine marks the 32nd anniversary of its restored independence. On this day in 1991, the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) passed the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine. Today also marks one and a half years since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukrainian national flag flew over Crimea overnight. Norway has confirmed its donation of F-16s to Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the early hours of Thursday, August 24, Ukrainian troops landed in occupied Crimea and clashed with Russian forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a joint operation with the Navy, Ukraine\u2019s defense intelligence damaged four Russian high-speed boats and took out at least 30 Russian troops, Ukrainian news web site Babel said, quoting Ukraine\u2019s defense intelligence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commenting on the operation to Ukrainian media, representative of the Main Intelligence Department of Ukraine\u2019s Defense Ministry Andriy Yusov said: \u201cIn a special operation [Ukrainian] troops landed on the peninsula. The Main Intelligence Department and the Navy conducted a joint operation. The aims were accomplished. There were no losses among the personnel. The special operation continues. We do not disclose all details. The enemy took losses in personnel and equipment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukraine\u2019s defense intelligence confirmed that at night Ukrainian troops landed on the shore of Crimea near Olenivka and Mayak with seaborne vessels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile performing the task, Ukrainian defenders clashed with the occupier\u2019s units. As a result, the enemy suffered losses among its personnel, and enemy equipment was destroyed. Also, the state flag flew over Ukrainian Crimea again,\u201d a statement by the Main Intelligence Department says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll tasks were accomplished. Ukrainian defenders ended the operation with no losses and left,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Russian-installed administration of Crimea did not comment on what happened despite numerous requests by locals, Ukraine\u2019s intelligence said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukraine\u2019s defense intelligence chief, Major General Kyrylo Budanov said in televised comments that it won\u2019t end with certain strikes on the territory of Crimea. There will be a ground operation and \u201cthe recovery of our territories\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis special operation [in Crimea] is important, first of all, to make people believe, people not even in mainland Ukraine but in Crimea. We want them to remember and believe that victory is just around the corner. And their liberation is not far away either,\u201d Budanov said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Diplomacy without real power is impotent, he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Norway will donate F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr St\u00f8re announced during a visit to Kyiv on Thursday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He reminded that Norway will train Ukrainian pilots and will provide two F-16 jets for training purposes. The country plans to donate Norwegian F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Gahr St\u00f8re added. Further details about the donation, numbers and time frame for delivery, will follow \u201cin due course\u201d, the Prime Minister said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking at a news conference in Kyiv, Gahr St\u00f8re said Norway will provide between five and ten F-16 aircraft to Ukraine, depending on their condition, according to the Norwegian broadcaster TV2. Norway earlier sold most of its F-16s to Romania. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus\u0117da, Chairperson of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina \u017deljko Kom\u0161i\u0107, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr St\u00f8re joined Volodymyr Zelenskyi during a ceremony on Ukraine\u2019s Independence Day in Kyiv Thursday. They also met separately with President Zelenskyi. Each country announced further support to Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Portugal confirmed it will join efforts to train Ukrainian pilots and engineers on F-16 jets. \u201cWe also discussed ways to expand defense cooperation, including the supply of armored medical vehicles and demining equipment to Ukraine,\u201d Zelenskyi said. He added that Portugal had joined G7\u2019s declaration on security guarantees to Ukraine. Portugal contributes to joint efforts ahead of the Ukraine-Latin America and Ukraine-Africa summits, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lithuania is sending a new package of military assistance to Ukraine, worth EUR 41 million, the country\u2019s Defense Ministry said Thursday. The package includes Carl-Gustaf ammunition, rifles, maritime surveillance radar kits, 5.56 mm cartridges, generators, anti-drones and other support. Lithuania will also hand over NASAMS missile launchers to Ukraine. According to Lithuania\u2019s Defense Ministry, Lithuania handed over Mi-8 helicopters, L-70 anti-aircraft guns with ammunition, M113 armored personnel carriers, millions of rounds of ammunition, and grenade launcher ammunition to Ukraine in the first seven months of the year. \u201cLithuania also provides expert advice, contributes to international funds for assistance to Ukraine, contributes to the training of Ukrainian soldiers, conducts courses for them, and Lithuanian military instructors are also participating in Operation Interflex, during which they are training Ukrainian soldiers in the subtleties of combat together with other NATO allies,\u201d the ministry said. Lithuania\u2019s medical and rehabilitation facilities have received around 200 wounded Ukrainian soldiers and plan to receive more of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Norway will also send IRIS-T anti-aircraft missiles and mine clearing equipment to Ukraine. The donation is part of the five-year Nansen Support Program for Ukraine amounting to NOK 75 billion, the Norwegian government said in a statement. The missiles can be launched from Sweden-donated units. Norway will replace the missiles it gave to Ukraine. The country will also send portable kits to neutralize explosives and clear minefields. Norway will also donate NOK 1.5 billion worth of gas and electricity to Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n