Zelenskyy marks Ukraine World War II liberation anniversary

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday evening marked the anniversary of the liberation of Ukraine from Nazi Germany during the Second World War, pledging the ousting of Russian troops.

"We remember the expulsion of the Nazis, (now we are) approaching the expulsion of the Rashists (Russians)," Zelenskyy said as he stood outdoors, in darkness, for a midnight address.

This year, the president said, the holiday commemorating the 1944 liberation of Ukraine carries special significance, after Russian President Vladimir Putin illegally annexed regions in the south and east of the country.

"The captured territory becomes free. This has always been the case in the past, and will certainly be the case in the future," Zelenskyy said. "Our land always becomes free."

He also laid out recent Ukrainian successes against Russian aggression, saying 23 Iranian-made Shahed drones were downed by the Ukrainian Army in the last two days and several Russian aircraft were destroyed.

"Together, we will certainly cut the wings of all metal monsters, no matter how many and from where they fly in the direction of Ukraine," Zelenskyy said. "We are fighting, we will bring down more."

Image: AP