Ukraine approaches Independence Day on Aug. 24 with warnings of new Russian-led attacks

As congratulations came in from international leaders ahead of Ukraine's Independence Day on Aug. 24, the Ukrainian military warned that Russian-backed militants may don Ukrainian military uniforms and fire on civilians in residential areas they control in Donetsk and elsewhere in the Donbas.

The aim of the attacks, according to Ukrainian military spokesman Col. Andriy Lysenko, would be to discredit the Ukrainian military and create a pretext for Russian-separatist forces to launch new attacks on Ukrainian positions.

Lysenko, according to the Ukraine Crisis Media Center, said Kremlin-separatist leaders are "spreading false information about an allegedly forthcoming Ukrainian offensive. The militants are going to wear Ukrainian military uniforms. They are preparing to fire at peaceful districts of militant-controlled towns in order to discredit the Ukrainian Army and create an appropriate picture for the Russian media, hence creating a pretext for their own offensive on the Ukrainian positions."

Lysenko said that separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko has left Russian-occupied Donetsk, a departure that paves the way for attacks on residential districts. Lysenko called on Ukrainians to stay vigilant and not to fall for Russian propaganda. “Residents of militant-controlled towns should be ready to find shelter in case of attacks of Russian-backed insurgents,” he said.

It follows a report by Col. Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, who speaks for the Presidential Administration on the war, as saying that Russia-backed militants used heavy artillery to attack Ukrainian positions east of Ukrainian-controlled Mariupol.

The latest warnings came on Aug. 23 as Ukraine celebrates Flag Day.

President Petro Poroshenko and his family kicked off the holiday in a ceremony on St. Michael's Square and later went to Institutska Street near Independence Square to pay their respects to the Heavenly Hundred, the 100 demonstrators killed during the EuroMaidan Revolution that prompted President Viktor Yanukovych to flee for Russia last year.

"Our flag was born from primordial dreams of freedom. Gold color is a symbol of heavy crop and blue one is a sign of clear and peaceful sky over Ukraine, Poroshenko said. "Combination of blue and yellow is a dream about peaceful and prosperous life."

Poroshenko also called for national unity to take priority over political disagreements.

"Ukraine has undergone many difficulties. It has withstood the hardest year in its history and is ready now to move forward. Once again, I call for the unity. One and only national banner is more valuable than hundreds of political banners. It is my direct address to all political forces, first of all, to the members of the parliamentary coalition. Let us unite for the sake of Ukraine."

Ukraine celebrates its 24th year of independence with a 10 a.m. parade on Khreshchatyk Street. Other events are here.

U.S. President Barack Obama was among world leaders who congratulated Ukraine.

"Over the past year Ukraine has made significant steps to achieve the goal it has set for itself since independence in 1991. Despite numerous challenges, the people of Ukraine approached more than ever the fulfillment of its common vision of free, democratic and prosperous country firmly integrated into the heart of Europe," Obama said in a statement.

The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine also released a congratulatory video.