President Zelensky warned that Russia could do something particularly aggressive in the next week when Ukraine celebrated the independent day.

Russia can try to do something especially horrible, especially aggressive, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said in the speech on the night of August 20.

One of the main goals of the opponent is to humiliate us, spreading frustration, fear and conflict, but we must be strong enough to fight all provocative actions and make the attackers pay to pay.

President Zelensky press conference in Ukraine's capital Kiev in June. Photo: AFP.

Ukraine's independent day took place on August 24, which also marked 6 months since Russia launched a military campaign in this country.

In the city of Kharkov, northeastern Ukraine, local authorities issued a curfew from August 23 to the morning of August 25.

The focus of the Ukrainian battlefield is moving to the southern region, where Kiev announced it would open a big counterattack campaign.