Russian attack kills at least 25 on Ukraine's Independence Day

• The attack occurred in Chaplyne, a town of about 3,500 people in the Dnipropetrovsk region, AP reported.
• An 11-year-old child was also killed by rocket fire in another part of the region, AP reported, citing the president’s office.

What they're saying: "Rescue and search operations have been completed in the village of Chaplyne," Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of Zelensky’s office, wrote in a Telegram post on Thursday.

• "As a result of the shelling of the residential sector and the railway station, 25 people died, two of them children," he added.
• "Rescuers are working. But, unfortunately, the number of dead may still increase," Zelensky said at the Wednesday meeting. "This is how we live every day."

The big picture: Wednesday was the six-month mark of Russia's unprovoked invasion and the 31st anniversary of Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union, Axios' Dave Lawler reports.

• Zelensky had warned against mass gatherings on Independence Day, saying, "[It's] an important day for all of us. And that is why this day, unfortunately, is also important for our enemy. ... Hideous Russian provocations and brutal strikes are possible."

Background: Zelensky said Tuesday that he would not agree to freeze the conflict where it stands, with Russia occupying one-fifth of the country.

• Putin also seems intent on pressing on despite his own enormous losses.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with new details throughout.