Russian rockets hit Ukrainian town on independence day, 22 killed

Ukrainians in Malta take part in a demonstration ahead of Ukraine's Independence Day and six months since the Russian invasion began, in Valletta, Malta, August 23, 2022. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

KYIV (Reuters) - At least 22 people died and dozens were wounded on Wednesday when Russian rocket strikes hit a Ukrainian town and set a passenger train on fire, officials said, as the nation marked 31 years since its independence from Moscow-dominated Soviet rule.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had warned on Tuesday of the risk of "repugnant Russian provocations" on Independence Day, which by chance was also six months since Russian forces invaded Ukraine, touching off Europe's most devastating conflict since World War Two.