Ukraine somberly marks 33 years of independence as war with Russia rages on

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine somberly marked its 33rd Independence Day on Saturday, setting the usual fireworks, parades and concerts aside to commemorate thousands of civilians and soldiers killed in the ongoing war with Russia.

Social media was flooded with messages of gratitude and support as Ukrainians greeted each other from around the country and thanked soldiers who are on the front lines.

“Independence is the silence we experience when we lose our people,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared to the nation in a video posted on Telegram. “Independence descends into the shelter during an air raid, only to endure and rise again and again to tell the enemy: ‘You will achieve nothing.’”

In the capital of Kyiv, people who had traveled from various regions of the nation paraded in festive “vyshyvankas,” shirts of many colors enhanced with adornments, including the traditional white shirt with red embroidery. Some posed for pictures in front of the country's blue-and-yellow flag and an “I Love Ukraine” sign that had been placed near a makeshift memorial to fallen soldiers.

Ukraine declared independence from the former Soviet Union on Aug. 24, 1991. Russia launched a full-scale invasion on the country on Feb. 24, 2022. More than 11,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed in the conflict, according to the United Nations, which has indicated that the toll could be higher. In February, the war's second anniversary, Zelenskyy had said that 31,000 soldiers had been killed.

“We can celebrate this holiday thanks to our soldiers — because of them we live,” said Oksana Stavnycha, who traveled to Kyiv from the central region of Vinnytsia with her 7-year-old daughter and husband. They planned to lay flowers to honor Ukraine's fallen soldiers.

“The price of our independence is very high, and every day many men give up their lives for it,” Stavnycha added.

Zelenskyy recorded his address to the nation in the northeastern town of Sumy, near Russia’s Kursk region where Ukrainian forces made a surprise incursion earlier this month. The move marked a startling turn to the war and added a new front.

Ukraine quickly seized considerable Russian territory, including scores of small towns, and captured hundreds of Russian soldiers, part of an effort to counter Russia’s grinding advances in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region.

The military now claims to hold 1,200 square kilometers (480 square miles) of territory, and in the past week, has launched drone attacks on strategic bridges and on Russian airfields and drone bases.

“Those who seek to sow evil on our land will reap its fruits on their own soil,” Zelenskyy said in his address. “And those who sought to turn our lands into a buffer zone should now worry that their own country doesn’t become a buffer federation. This is how independence responds.”

Ukraine's top military commander, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, honored the soldiers who fought in the Kursk region with military awards. “Our independence is in our blood,” he said on Telegram on Saturday. “In the blood that flows in our veins, in the blood that our heroes shed for their native land."

Even as Ukraine presses its offensive into Russia, however, it is evacuating residents from Pokrovsk, a strategic city in eastern Ukraine that once had a population of 60,000. Encroaching Russian forces are now just 10 kilometers (6 miles) outside the city.

On Friday, Pokrovsk residents carrying bundles of belongings boarded trains to take them to areas farther from the conflict.

Ihor Kysil, a 52-year-old soldier from the 110th Brigade, was wounded for the second time about a month ago while fighting in the Pokrovsk area. On Friday, still recovering from a concussion and a fractured shoulder, and dealing with hearing problems from an earlier injury, he stood in Kyiv’s Independence Square, holding hands with his wife.

“This day is about our freedom,” he said, standing near the makeshift memorial, where thousands of flags fluttered in memory of those lost. Some of the banners honored soldiers who had fought alongside Kysil.

“These are the golden days,” said Kysil, who will return to the front line once his rehabilitation is complete.

“Every life is priceless,” added his wife, Yuliia Fedenko. “We value every minute of the time we have.”

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This story was first published on Aug. 24, 2024. It was updated on Aug. 31, 2024 to correct the following error: The Associated Press erroneously quoted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as saying 35,000 soldiers had been killed as of February 2024.

It should be 31,000.

Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena lay flowers at the Memorial Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine in Russian-Ukrainian War during celebration of the Ukrainian Independence Day in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

Flags with the names of killed soldiers are carried at a makeshift memorial for fallen Ukrainian soldiers in the Russian-Ukrainian war during Ukrainian Independence Day on Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

A veteran pays his respect at a makeshift memorial for fallen Ukrainian soldiers in the Russian-Ukrainian war during Ukrainian Independence Day on Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Flags with names of killed international volunteers are carried during Ukrainian Independence Day on Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lays flowers at the Memorial Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine in Russian-Ukrainian War during celebration of the Ukrainian Independence Day in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

A veteran holds a photo if his comrade at a makeshift memorial for fallen Ukrainian soldiers in Russian-Ukrainian war during Ukrainian Independence Day on Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

A veteran pays his respect at a makeshift memorial for fallen Ukrainian soldiers during the Ukrainian Independence Day on Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, shows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

People line up to register for evacuation in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Iryna Belikova, 37, with her children, sit on an evacuation train in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024.(AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

A girl calms her sister on an evacuation train in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Iryna Belikova, 37, with her six children and husband, Ihor, wait for evacuation in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, shows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, greeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

People wait for evacuation in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Nadia Trushenko, with her daughters Ksenia, left, Daria, center and Liubov, wait for evacuation in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

A father hugs his daughter, his other children nearby, as they wait for evacuation in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

DIDIM, Turkey (AP) — The father of the Turkish-American activist killed by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank on Thursday welcomed Turkey’s decision to initiate an independent investigation into her death and called on the United States to do the same.

Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who held Turkish and American citizenship, was killed last Friday during demonstrations against settlements in the West Bank. A witness who was there, Israeli protester Jonathan Pollak, said she posed no threat to Israeli forces and that the shooting came during a moment of calm, following clashes between stone-throwing protesters and Israeli troops firing tear gas and bullets.

Turkey's Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced Thursday that Turkey had launched its own investigation into her death days after the Israeli military said in a preliminary report that Eygi was likely shot “indirectly and unintentionally” by its soldiers.

Mehmet Suat Eygi, who is based in Seattle but spoke in western Turkey, said he was very happy to learn that Turkey had opened an investigation into what he called the “arbitrary murder” of his daughter.

“I hope that the American government does the same," he said.

He said his daughter was 10 months old when the family left Turkey for the United States. “She studied in the schools there, she grew up with freedoms there. She is a citizen of that country,” he said. “I hope the American government will show the same sensitivity.”

He was speaking in the Aegean coastal town of Didim, where Eygi used to come for vacations and spend time with family members - and where she is expected to be buried. Eygi's grandfather's home - and the street where the house is located - was adorned with Turkish flags - an honor usually bestowed to Turkish soldiers killed in conflict.

The Ankara chief prosecutor's office was leading the Turkish probe, Tunc said, adding that Turkey would seek international arrest warrants for those responsible for her death. He also said Turkey would present findings to a U.N. court overseeing a genocide case against Israel filed by South Africa over the war in Gaza.

“We will take every judicial step for our martyred daughter, Aysenur,” Tunc said.

Mehmet Suat Eygi said his daughter was a “special person” who cared about nature and human rights and traveled to Brazil, Australia and Mexico to campaign for environmental and human rights issues.

Eygi, who attended Seattle schools and graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in psychology this year, was married and was financially comfortable, her father said. "She could have enjoyed a comfortable life, but she pursued her ideals. She left everything and went to the hell of the Middle East. She was that idealistic,” Eygi said.

Another relative, Ali Tikkin, told The Associated Press that Eygi's family believes she was deliberately targeted by Israeli soldiers.

“There was no error or accident,” he said. “I think it was a message to the world.”

Tikkin, who is married to Eygi's aunt, described the activist as a “free-spirited person” who began traveling the world on her own at an early age.

“Even at the age of 18 or 19, she went to different countries of the world on her own. First she started traveling out of curiosity. Later she took part in organizations by the United Nations,” he said. “She was sensitive to events happening around the world.”

A statement released by the Palestinian Ministry of Justice and signed by two forensic doctors said Eygi was brought to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, in the West Bank, after she was hit with a bullet fired by the Israeli army. The young woman had no signs of life as her heart was not beating, the statement said, adding that the bullet entered from behind the left ear causing damage to the brain.

Medical staff tried for a sixth time to reactivate her heart with no luck and she was considered dead at 2:36 p.m. on Friday. The statement said the bullet damaged the brain and the skull and different shrapnel caused tears and bruises.

Turkish Foreign Ministry officials said Eygi’s body was expected to be flown from Tel Aviv to Baku, Azerbaijan and arrive in Turkey on Friday. Burial was likely to take place on Saturday.

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Associated Press Writer Suzan Fraser contributed from Ankara, Turkey.

Mehmet, the father of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 26 year-old Turkish-American human rights activist from Seattle killed by the Israeli military, speaks to the media outside the family home in Didim, Turkey, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Mehmet, the father of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 26 year-old Turkish-American human rights activist from Seattle killed by the Israeli military, speaks to the media outside the family home in Didim, Turkey, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Mehmet, the father of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 26 year-old Turkish-American human rights activist from Seattle killed by the Israeli military, speaks to the media outside the family home in Didim, Turkey, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Mehmet, the father of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 26 year-old Turkish-American human rights activist from Seattle killed by the Israeli military, speaks to the media outside the family home in Didim, Turkey, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Mehmet, the father of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, the 26 year-old Turkish-American activist killed by the Israeli military, sits outside the family house in City of Didim, Turkey, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Municipality workers decorate the family house of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, the 26 year-old Turkish-American activist killed by the Israeli military, with Turkish flags, in City of Didim, Turkey, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Municipality workers decorate the family house of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, the 26 year-old Turkish-American activist killed by the Israeli military, with Turkish flags, in City of Didim, Turkey, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024,(AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Mehmet, the father of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, the 26 year-old Turkish-American activist killed by the Israeli military, center, sits with others outside the family house in City of Didim, Turkey, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Relatives of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, the 26 year-old Turkish-American activist killed by the Israeli military, gather outside her family house in the City of Didim, Turkey, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Media members and relatives gather outside the family house of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, the 26 year-old Turkish-American activist killed by the Israeli military, in the City of Didim, Turkey, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)