Last minute of the war today, live | Boris Johnson visits kyiv by surprise on Ukraine's independence day

Zelensky: "Before we talked about peace, now we talk about victory" | The Ukrainian president promises the reconquest of Crimea: "Everything started there and everything will end there" | Ukraine and the West fear "more brutal" attacks on the 31st anniversary of Ukraine's independence from the USSR

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The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, visited kyiv by surprise on Wednesday and walked through the capital accompanied by the Ukrainian President, Volodímir Zelensky, on the day that marks the 31st anniversary of the country's independence. "The United Kingdom will continue to support our Ukrainian friends," Johnson assured, on his third visit to Ukraine since the conflict began. For his part, Zelensky has been defiant in his Independence Day speech, which coincides with six months since the invasion of Russia. “What is the end of the war for us? Before we talked about peace; now we talk about victory”.

The president has stated that Ukraine was "reborn" the day it was invaded as a country that does not give up or forget and has assured that he will fight to the end to recover all the occupied territory. On the day of the national holiday, the streets remain almost empty, since acts of celebration or concentrations of people have been prohibited for fear that Russia will celebrate the event with "brutal attacks". In fact, “many civilians” are leaving kyiv, which has been quiet since the beginning of the invasion, for fear of a Russian attack. Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has stated that he has slowed down the offensive to avoid civilian casualties, while London maintains that the stagnation of Russian troops is due to a shortage of ammunition, personnel and vehicles.

“Many civilians” are leaving kyiv, which has been quiet since the early stages of the invasion, fearing a Russian attack. Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has stated that he has slowed down the offensive to avoid civilian casualties, while London maintains that the stagnation of Russian troops is due to a shortage of ammunition, personnel and vehicles. “Many civilians” are leaving kyiv, which has been quiet since the early stages of the invasion, fearing a Russian attack.

Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has stated that he has slowed down the offensive to avoid civilian casualties, while London maintains that the stagnation of Russian troops is due to a shortage of ammunition, personnel and vehicles.