Summary: Ukrainian President Zelensky delivers a powerful speech on Independence Day, emphasizing unity and resilience . Zelensky calls for those in occupied territories to return home and highlights Ukrainian strength. President Zelensky reassures the nation of Ukraine's ability to overcome challenges and defend its freedom . The international comm unity , including Norway , stands in solidarity with Ukraine's pursuit of peace . ...

Russian Defense Ministry acknowledges retreat north of Bakhmut A Ukrainian tank rumbled toward back-mood on Friday as Kiev claimed its forces had advanced more than a mile around the shattered ruins of the eastern city. Russian forces have fought for months to seize back-mood without success. The Russian Defense Ministry on Friday said that Ukraine had deployed more than 1,000 troops in up to 40 tanks in more than two dozen attempted attacks in the direction of the town of Solodar. The military admitted it was regrouping its forces, suggesting its fighters had fallen back. The leader of a Russian mercenary force gave a different assessment. Evgeny Progoshin, founder of the Wagner paramilitary group, said the Defense Ministry was lying and Russian forces had been routed and forced to flee. Reuters has been unable to verify reports of battlefield movement. Ukraine this week released w...