IRIA News

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Ukraine successfully used the Palyanitsa drone missile for the first time against Russia, marking a significant step in the Ukrainian defense industry in enhancing the country’s defense capabilities. President Zelenskyy announced the use of a new drone missile as Ukraine marked 33 years of post-Soviet independence on August 24, 2024.

Zelenskyy said the new weapon, Palianytsia, was faster and more powerful than the domestically made drones that Kyiv has so far used to fight back against Russia.

Speaking during Independence Day celebrations in Kyiv, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Palianytsia represents a “completely new class” of weaponry. “Our new weapons solutions, particularly the Palianytsia missile, are our way of acting while some of our partners, unfortunately, are slowing down with their decisions,” Zelenskyy said. Ukraine is preparing new “robust solutions,” he said at a press conference with the leaders of Poland and Lithuania.

The Ukrainian military has not officially released details on the specifications of the Palyanytsia, but the country’s Minister for Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin, said that the rocket drone was a form of high-speed precision-targeted projectile. “We have mortar drones, artillery drones, and now, we introduce a completely new class of weapon — rocket drones,” said Kamyshin on social media. “The rocket drone ‘Palyanytsia’ was successfully used today, striking a military target in temporarily occupied territory.”

‘Palianytsia’ (also called Palyanytsia) refers to a type of rustic Ukrainian bread but it has a symbolic significance because since the war started it has been used as a shibboleth to distinguish Ukrainians from Russians because of the different pronunciation of the word. “It will be very difficult for Russia, difficult to even pronounce what exactly has hit it, it is difficult to counter it,” Zelenskyy said of the drone missile.

Ukrainian offensive in Russia’s Kursk region

Since August 6, the Ukrainian armed forces have been conducting an offensive in the Kursk region. They have reportedly advanced tens of kilometers deep into enemy lines in the border areas. Ukraine controls the town of Sudzha, where there is a gas metering station that ensures the transit of Russian gas to Europe through Ukraine.

Speaking at the Independence Day ceremony, Zelenskyy said: “Russia went to war against us. She violated not only the sovereign borders but also the limits of cruelty and common sense. Infinitely longing for one thing: to destroy us. Instead, today we celebrate the 33rd Independence Day of Ukraine. And what the enemy brought to our land has now returned to his home.”

Lithuania to deliver over 5,000 drones to Ukraine

On August 24, Zelenskyy also held meetings with the President of Poland Andrzej Duda, and the Prime Minister of Lithuania Ingrida Šimonytė, who visited Ukraine on  33rd Independence Day. He informed them that Ukraine is bolstering the capabilities of its defense and industrial complex, and looks forward to strengthening cooperation with partners for joint production of weapons.

On this occasion, Lithuania announced plans to provide Ukraine with more than 5,000 drones by the end of the fall as part of military assistance.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Šimonytė said the recent aid package also includes 10 short-range air defense systems, 30 missiles, anti-drone and other equipment, weapons, and ammunition in addition to more than 5,000 drones. “Besides, we are allocating 35 million euros to purchase radar and demining equipment for Ukraine. By the end of the fall, we hope to provide more than 5,000 Lithuanian-made drones,” Šimonytė said.

Ukraine and Russia exchange 115 prisoners

Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine announced they have exchanged 115 prisoners of war each, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) acting as an intermediary. “The UAE has successfully mediated a new captives exchange between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Ukraine, resulting in the release of 230 captives,” UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

President Zelenskyy said “Another 115 of our defenders have returned home today”, while Moscow’s defense ministry said: “As a result of a negotiation process, 115 Russian servicemen taken prisoner in the Kursk region have been returned from territories controlled by the Kyiv regime.” This was the first prisoner exchange since Ukraine launched a surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk region on August 6.