(NewsNation) — Ukrainians marked their country’s 31st Independence Day Wednesday, exactly six months to the day after Russian forces began their invasion. While most expected the country to fall quickly to Moscow, Ukrainian forces have held their ground against their invaders.
“Six months ago, Russia declared war on us. On Feb. 24, all of Ukraine heard explosions and gunshots. … On Feb. 24, we were told: You have no chance. On Aug. 24, we say: Happy Independence Day, Ukraine!” Zelenskyy said in an Independence Day message.
Wednesday’s holiday commemorates Ukraine’s 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the public to be vigilant as he warned the holiday may bring heavier shelling and attacks on the country. Authorities in the capital banned large-scale gatherings until Thursday to ensure the safety of Ukraine’s citizens.
“Russian provocations and brutal strikes are a possibility,” Zelenskyy said in a statement. “Please strictly follow the safety rules. Please observe the curfew. Pay attention to the air sirens. Pay attention to official announcements. And remember: We must all achieve victory together.”
In the wake of the war’s six months, President Joe Biden announced an additional $2.98 billion of weapons and equipment for Ukraine. The money will fund contracts for drones, weapons and other equipment that may not see the battlefront for a year or two, U.S. officials said.
“On behalf of all Americans, I congratulate the people of Ukraine on their Independence Day. Over the past six months, Ukrainians have inspired the world with their extraordinary courage and dedication to freedom,” Biden said in a statement Wednesday announcing the new financial package.
In the statement, Biden pledged his continued support to Ukraine: “Today and every day, we stand with the Ukrainian people to proclaim that the darkness that drives autocracy is no match for the flame of liberty that lights the souls of free people everywhere. The United States, including proud Ukrainian-Americans, looks forward to continuing to celebrate Ukraine as a democratic, independent, sovereign and prosperous state for decades to come.”
To date, the U.S. has sent about $10.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine, including 19 packages of weapons taken directly from the Defense Department stocks since August of 2021.
As the war reached its 182nd day, there has been no signs of a quick end to the conflict.
The U.S. ambassador in Ukraine is warning Americans to leave the country as soon as possible. Ukraine feared even more Russian aggression following the death of the daughter of Putin’s ally with Russia blaming the country for last week’s car explosion that killed Daria Dugina, despite Ukraine denying involvement.
Also, there has been an international concern and a growing call to end the fighting near Europe’s largest nuclear plant. Both countries have accused each other of firing missiles close to that plant. The U.N. Security Council will meet again Wednesday to discuss the nuclear disaster threats this can present. U.N. officials are calling on Moscow to create a demilitarized zone around the plant.
Since the beginning of the war, both sides have seen thousands of troops killed and injured, including tremendous numbers of civilians. Ukraine reports more than 15,000 Ukrainians have died since February, with the most killed in March. But experts believe that number is actually much higher.
The U.N. reported roughly 6.7 million refugees have fled Ukraine and are scattered all across Europe.
Experts say the first two phases of the war are believed to be over. Ukraine’s defense minister said he expects the worst of the bloodshed to be over as well. But as warfare slows and Ukraine tries to maintain its southern region, experts worry it could become tougher to do with lesser resources and waning public support.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
FILE – Cars pass by destroyed Russian tanks in a recent battle against Ukrainians in the village of Dmytrivka, close to Kyiv, Ukraine, May 23, 2022. Six months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in an unprovoked act of aggression, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. Putin expected a quick victory but it has turned into a grinding war of attrition. Russian offensive are largely stuck as Ukrainian forces increasingly target key facilities far behind the front lines. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File) 
FILE – Ukrainian servicemen prepare to fire at Russian positions from a U.S.-supplied M777 howitzer in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, July 14, 2022. Supplies of Western weapons, including U.S. HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, has significantly boosted the Ukrainian military’s capability, allowing it to target Russian munitions deports, bridges and other key facilities with precision and impunity. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File) 
FILE – Ukrainian servicemen shoot with a SPG-9 recoilless gun during training in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, July 19, 2022. Six months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in an unprovoked act of aggression, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. Putin expected a quick victory but it has turned into a grinding war of attrition. Russian offensive are largely stuck as Ukrainian forces increasingly target key facilities far behind the front lines. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File) 
FILE – Ukrainian self-propelled artillery shoots towards Russian forces at a frontline in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, July 27, 2022. Six months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in an unprovoked act of aggression, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. Putin expected a quick victory but it has turned into a grinding war of attrition. Russian offensive are largely stuck as Ukrainian forces increasingly target key facilities far behind the front lines. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File) 
FILE – In this photo released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on July 2, 2022, a Russian Su-25 ground attack jet fires rockets on a mission at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Six months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP, File) 
FILE – In this photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on July 22, 2022, Russian soldiers fire a 2S4 Tyulpan self-propelled heavy mortar from their position at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Six months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP, File) 
FILE – Ukrainian servicemen of “Fireflies” reconnaissance team jump from the trunk of pickup to take their position at the frontline in Mykolaiv region, Ukraine, Aug. 8, 2022. Six months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in an unprovoked act of aggression, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. Putin expected a quick victory but it has turned into a grinding war of attrition. Russian offensive are largely stuck as Ukrainian forces increasingly target key facilities far behind the front lines. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File) 
FILE – A Russian serviceman guards an area of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station in territory under Russian military control, southeastern Ukraine, May 1, 2022. Moscow and Kyiv have traded accusations of shelling the Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, that fueled fears of a nuclear disaster. (AP Photo, File) 
FILE – Russian rockets are launched against Ukraine from Russia’s Belgorod region at dawn in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Aug. 15, 2022. Six months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in an unprovoked act of aggression, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. Putin expected a quick victory but it has turned into a grinding war of attrition. Russian offensive are largely stuck as Ukrainian forces increasingly target key facilities far behind the front lines. (AP Photo/Vadim Belikov, File) 
FILE – A launch truck fires the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) produced by Lockheed Martin during combat training in the high desert of the Yakima Training Center, Washington on May 23, 2011. Supplies of Western weapons, including U.S. HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, has significantly boosted the Ukrainian military’s capability, allowing it to target Russian munitions deports, bridges and other key facilities with precision and impunity. (Tony Overman/The Olympian via AP, File) 
FILE – Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky, Aug. 9, 2022, after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka on the Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014. Six months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. (UGC via AP, File) 
FILE – Ukrainian soldiers take positions in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 25, 2022. Six months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in an unprovoked act of aggression, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. Putin expected a quick victory but it has turned into a grinding war of attrition. Russian offensive are largely stuck as Ukrainian forces increasingly target key facilities far behind the front lines. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File) 
FILE – An explosion is seen in an apartment building after Russian’s army tank fires in Mariupol, Ukraine, March 11, 2022. Six months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in an unprovoked act of aggression, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. Putin expected a quick victory but it has turned into a grinding war of attrition. Russian offensive are largely stuck as Ukrainian forces increasingly target key facilities far behind the front lines. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File) 
FILE – A man rides his bike past flames and smoke rising from a fire following a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, March 25, 2022. Six months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in an unprovoked act of aggression, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. Putin expected a quick victory but it has turned into a grinding war of attrition. Russian offensive are largely stuck as Ukrainian forces increasingly target key facilities far behind the front lines. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File) 
FILE – Ukrainian servicemen climb on a fighting vehicle outside Kyiv, Ukraine, April 2, 2022. Six months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in an unprovoked act of aggression, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. Putin expected a quick victory but it has turned into a grinding war of attrition. Russian offensive are largely stuck as Ukrainian forces increasingly target key facilities far behind the front lines. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File) 
FILE – A resident looks for belongings in an apartment building destroyed during fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces in Borodyanka, Ukraine, April 5, 2022. Six months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in an unprovoked act of aggression, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. Putin expected a quick victory but it has turned into a grinding war of attrition. Russian offensive are largely stuck as Ukrainian forces increasingly target key facilities far behind the front lines. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File) 
FILE – Russian military vehicles move on a highway in an area controlled by Russian-backed separatist forces near Mariupol, Ukraine, April 18, 2022. Six months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in an unprovoked act of aggression, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. Putin expected a quick victory but it has turned into a grinding war of attrition. Russian offensive are largely stuck as Ukrainian forces increasingly target key facilities far behind the front lines. (AP Photo/Alexei Alexandrov, File) 
FILE – Smoke rises from the Metallurgical Combine Azovstal in Mariupol during shelling, in Mariupol, in territory under the government of the Donetsk People’s Republic, eastern Ukraine, May 7, 2022. Six months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in an unprovoked act of aggression, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. Putin expected a quick victory but it has turned into a grinding war of attrition. Russian offensive are largely stuck as Ukrainian forces increasingly target key facilities far behind the front lines. (AP Photo/Alexei Alexandrov, File) 
FILE – A Russian soldier walks in front of the damaged Metallurgical Combine Azovstal plant, in Mariupol, on the territory which is under the Government of the Donetsk People’s Republic control, eastern Ukraine, June 13, 2022. Six months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in an unprovoked act of aggression, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. Putin expected a quick victory but it has turned into a grinding war of attrition. Russian offensive are largely stuck as Ukrainian forces increasingly target key facilities far behind the front lines. (AP Photo/File) 
FILE – Soldiers walk amid destroyed Russian tanks in Bucha, in the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, April 3, 2022. Six months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in an unprovoked act of aggression, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. Putin expected a quick victory but it has turned into a grinding war of attrition. Russian offensive are largely stuck as Ukrainian forces increasingly target key facilities far behind the front lines. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)