Russian rockets fell on the small Ukrainian town of Chaplyne, killing at least 15 as the nation celebrated its independence day Wednesday — a stark reminder of the cost of Ukrainian self-determination in the midst of six months of war.

The bombardment hit a train station in the town — located halfway between Russian-controlled Donetsk and Ukrainian-held Zaporizhzhia. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an address to the United Nations that four train cars were on fire in the aftermath of the attack.

“As of now, at least 15 people have been killed and around 50 people have been wounded,” he said. “Rescuers are working, but, unfortunately, the death toll could increase.”

In the capital, Kyiv, air raid sirens kept residents on edge, but ultimately no attacks came.

Many public celebrations were canceled in anticipation of possible Russian strikes, and Ukraine’s second largest city — the oft-bombed Kharkiv — was under curfew. 

Earlier in the day, Zelensky compared the August 24 celebration of Ukraine’s 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union to the February 24 Russian invasion that began the war.

“A new nation appeared in the world on February 24 at 4 in the morning — it was not born, but reborn,” he said, speaking from in front of a Kyiv independence monument.

Wartime Ukraine had showed itself to be “a nation that did not cry, scream or take fright; one that did not flee, did not give up, and did not forget,” he added.

Zelensky went on to say Wednesday that Ukraine would continue to fight to reclaim territory occupied by Russia.

“We will not sit down at the negotiating table out of fear, with a gun pointed at our heads,” he said. “For us, the most terrible iron is not missiles aircraft and tanks, but shackles.”

Russian missiles landed throughout the country on Wednesday, often west of the front lines. In an update, Ukrainian military command said simply, “Today was rich with air raid sirens.”

Western powers took the opportunity Wednesday to signal continued support for the embattled former East Bloc nation, with President Biden announcing an additional $3 billion in assistance, including military drones, radar and missile systems, as well as an anti-drone missile system dubbed “vampire.”

“The package of capabilities here are really aimed at getting Ukraine what they’re going to need in the medium to long term, so it’s not relevant to the fight today, tomorrow, next week,” Undersecretary of Defense Colin Kahl told reporters.

“It is relevant to the ability of Ukraine to defend itself and deter further aggression a year from now, two years from now.”

UK Prime Minsiter Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to Kyiv Wednesday, where he announced an additional $63.5 million assistance package that included some 2,000 drones. 

In a poll announced Wednesday by Reuters/Ipsos, just over half of Americans said the US should continue to support Kyiv until “all Russian forces are withdrawn from territory claimed by Ukraine.”

That proposition was backed by 53% of respondents, while only 18% said they opposed it. The support was also bipartisan, with 66% of Democrats and 51% of Republicans in favor of supporting Ukraine.

Just over half of Americans — 51% — agreed that support should be in the form of weaponry, while 22% opposed sending arms.

With Post wires