"Russia, Increased Risk of Bombing"... Concerns Over Large-Scale Military Clashes on Ukraine Independence Day

Both Countries Continue Localized Clashes in Crimea and Zaporizhzhia

A Ukrainian soldier is inspecting a firearm in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] June 24 marks six months since Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the 31st anniversary of Ukraine's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. Around this date, the international community is expressing concerns about the possibility of large-scale military clashes.

The two countries have recently continued clashes in areas such as the Crimean Peninsula and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. According to recent reports from CNN and others, the explosion at the Saky airbase in the Crimean Peninsula recently destroyed about half of the Russian Black Sea Fleet's air power. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized his determination to reclaim Crimea in a national address immediately after the explosion, stating, "The war that started in Crimea must end in Crimea."

Additionally, shelling occurred again at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on the 5th-6th, the 11th, and on this day as well. Vladimir Gorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia regional administration appointed by Russia, claimed that "the Ukrainian military fired at least four shells at the nuclear power plant," while the Ukrainian side countered, saying "the Russian military repeatedly bombed it." Given that Zaporizhzhia is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, there have been international concerns about a nuclear accident, but it is reported that the core facilities of the plant did not suffer significant damage.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also predicted that Russian forces might launch attacks during the Independence Day week. In a video message on the night of the 20th (local time), he said, "Russia might do something bad during the Independence Day week," and urged, "The Ukrainian people must be vigilant."

President Zelensky continued, "The occupation is temporary, and there is hope that Ukraine will soon return to Crimea," emphasizing, "We must not allow Russia to spread fear and discourage us."

The Ukrainian intelligence group StratCom also warned, "A Russian freight train loaded with a large amount of weapons recently moved to the border area," adding, "There is a high risk that Russia will carry out large-scale bombings timed for the 24th."

Meanwhile, on this day, the Russian military claimed that its soldiers were subjected to biochemical terrorism by the Ukrainian side. According to TASS news agency, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that botulinum toxin type B was detected in multiple soldiers who showed severe poisoning symptoms and were transferred to a military hospital on the 31st of last month.

Botulinum toxin type B is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which exists in soil and other environments, causing a neuroparalytic disease. Infection can occur when consuming food contaminated with the toxin.

The Russian Ministry of Defense declared, "Based on all analysis results, Russia is preparing to present evidence proving the chemical terrorism carried out by the Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky regime."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.