Category: Attack on Ukraine

The statement made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 3 August 2023.

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

There were many meetings today. Different ones. International work, internal security, defense of the state.

The meeting on the Crimea Platform – the content of the summit, the international presence at the summit, its impact on our ability to keep up the pressure for the liberation of Crimea – we are working on the details. And we are already preparing not only the Crimea Platform Summit at the level of leaders in August, but also the parliamentary dimension of the Crimea Platform, which will be held in the autumn.

Today is the second day of an important meeting with the ambassadors of Ukraine in Zakarpattia region.

Yesterday and today we had the highest political and highest military levels of communication. The ambassadors had very substantive conversations with the Minister of Defense, the Commander-in-Chief, Commander of the Air Force, Vice Admiral Neizhpapa, the Commander of the Naval Forces, Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Lytvynenko, and NSDC Secretary Danilov. All of them. I specifically asked Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhny, the commanders and Mr. Kuleba to hold such a meeting to discuss the key things that our warriors and defense forces need so much, so that they could convey all this to the ambassadors.

Prime Minister Shmyhal, Yulia Svyrydenko, Stefanishyna, Kubrakov also attended the meeting today. There was also a meeting between the ambassadors and Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk on parliamentary diplomacy, which can be very effective if it is fully consistent with our overall state strategy.

It is important that the ambassadors of Ukraine are fully informed about every need of Ukraine in great detail. Weapons, equipment, munitions, finances, specific political decisions… I thank everyone who was active at this meeting in Zakarpattia, and I thank Zakarpattia for such a welcome.

Today, there were reports from Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Malyuk and Minister of Internal Affairs Klymenko. In particular, one of the issues is the inspection of the “military commissars”.

We talked in detail. The inspection reveals many abuses. Frankly disgusting ones. All the facts revealed by law enforcement officers will be presented to the public and investigated in the framework of criminal proceedings. The conclusion is obvious: the recruitment system needs people who understand the value of defending Ukraine. The value, not the price of decisions. People who have seen the war and gone through it should work in the “military enlistment offices”. There are those who, unfortunately, lost their limbs, but did not lose their dignity and did not lose Ukraine. I am grateful to them.

Minister Klymenko reported separately and in detail on the training of our National Guardsmen – the provision of ammunition and equipment is a priority. He also spoke about the protection of critical facilities, including nuclear power plants. We discussed the situation in the regions after the Russian terrorist attack on the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, and the provision of all necessary supplies to people. The Minister also reported on measures taken to combat crime. There were informative reports on the entire range of work of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

And, of course, the frontline.

The battles are tough, the occupiers are trying their best to stop our guys. The assaults are very fierce. Kupyansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Maryinka, Avdiivka directions. Southern directions. It is difficult everywhere. But no matter what the enemy does, it is the Ukrainian force that dominates. And I am grateful to everyone on the frontline for this!

Today I would like to recognize the warriors of the 15th operational brigade of the National Guard. Melitopol direction. Thank you, guys! I would also like to mention the warriors of the Izmail border guard detachment who, together with the maritime units, counter Russian “Shahed” attacks.

In total, the terrorists have already launched at least 1961 “Shaheds” against Ukraine, and a significant number of them have been shot down. Unfortunately, not all of them. We are working to shoot down more – to shoot down as many as possible. We are working to have more air defense systems. In particular, this is a task for each of our ambassadors, all representatives of Ukraine.

Everyone must work for the victory, for the protection of life. The lives of people and the protection of our beautiful Ukraine! We will definitely win.

Glory to Ukraine!

The statement made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 2 August 2023.

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

It was a long and very busy day.

In the morning, we received reports from our warriors, from air defense on the downing of “Shaheds”. There were 37 “Shaheds” in total during this one night. Some of them were shot down. But only part of them. Fortunately, people were not injured. There were hits in the southern areas – Odesa region, our ports.

We are doing our best with our partners to increase the supply of air defense systems. It is very important for the world not to get used to this Russian terror. Every hit is a common problem. Not only for Ukraine, but also for all those in the world whose stability Russia is trying to destroy by attacking our ports and infrastructure.

Now, for the Russian state, this is a battle not only against our freedom, not only against our state. Moscow is fighting a battle for a global catastrophe: these lunatics need the world food market to collapse – they need price crises, supply disruptions. Someone in Moscow thinks they can make money on this… Someone in Moscow hopes they will be able to bargain for something… These are very, very dangerous hopes.

In particular, we talked about food security today with our ambassadors – I held an extraordinary large meeting with all the heads of Ukrainian diplomatic missions.

We gathered in Zakarpattia. On the eve of a new political season in our partner countries. For 16 months of full-scale war, we have been working together – the entire diplomatic team of Ukraine, everyone who works in the field of our foreign policy – to make sure that the world sees events in a completely truthful way. The way they are happening, not the way Russian propaganda wants to depict them. Most countries in the world stand with Ukraine. We have achieved extremely significant results in supplying weapons to our troops. There are powerful sanctions against Russia for terror. Now there are new tasks for Ukrainian diplomats – to attract defense production to Ukraine… equipment, artillery, shells. To expand training missions for our warriors. To ensure the supply of F-16s. Long-range missiles for Ukraine.

And always – absolutely always – political decisions in favor of our country, our freedom. The Crimea Platform, the UN General Assembly, the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, the Global Food Summit, and the very important Peace Formula Summit, to which we are inviting the world’s majority, are ahead. The launch of accession negotiations with the European Union is a task for this year. Preparing more in our relations with NATO is also a task that our diplomats have to fulfill. Today we talked about all this in great detail.

Ukrainian diplomacy has very clear, significant accomplishments. In all areas. We do not forget about the sphere of national memory, our history. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor, and we are constantly active in communicating with partners to recognize the historical truth – to recognize the Holodomor as genocide of the Ukrainian people. Already 28 states have recognized the Holodomor as genocide – this is at the state level. In four more countries, one of the chambers of national parliaments has adopted a decision. And during the full-scale war alone, 17 such recognition decisions were made. This is a very high pace. And all Ukrainian diplomats should maintain this pace – remain that active in the interests of Ukraine. Every day, every week, every month, they should prove with concrete results for Ukraine that our diplomacy can and will be a global leader.

I held a meeting on the security and social situation in Zakarpattia. General Deyneko, Head of the State Border Guard Service, reported on border issues, which are strategic for the region. A thorough report by head of the regional administration Mykyta – it is clear that the region has the necessary results. Well done!

Relocation of business and creation of new jobs in different communities of the region is an important area of work. Facilities for the rehabilitation of our warriors are the right projects. Many initiatives to develop the economy of Zakarpattia – those opportunities that have not been used for decades.

In particular, the development of a salt deposit has already begun here in the region, which can provide all of Ukraine with table and industrial salt. There are other projects that we will discuss with government officials.

Zakarpattia will definitely be one of the drivers of development for the whole of Ukraine, economic and social growth.

I am finishing this day in Berehove with a meeting with representatives of the Hungarian community in Ukraine. It is an important meeting. Educators, doctors, representatives of public and religious organizations and, of course, our warriors, whom I had the honor to award. Brave and courageous warriors whom we are proud of – all of them. All of us, Ukrainians, all of us, citizens of Ukraine. Everyone defends our country and freedom, everyone strives for victory for Ukraine, to live in Ukraine and develop life here – for the sake of their families, for the sake of their children.

I thank everyone who defends freedom! I thank everyone who is fighting for Ukraine! The 128th separate mountain assault brigade of Zakarpattia and the 101st separate brigade of the Territorial Defense… Thank you, warriors. Today – especially!

Thank you all – Berehove, Uzhhorod, Mukachevo and all of Zakarpattia!

Glory to Ukraine!

The statement made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 1 August 2023.

The statement made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 12 March 2023.

Good health to you, fellow Ukrainians!

Today I spoke with the new President of the Czech Republic, Pavel. A good conversation, a conversation of partners. We discussed defense against the terrorist state, our joint defense of Europe. I thanked him for the support already provided by the Czech Republic. There are things we can still do together. I invited Mr. President to visit Ukraine.

Overall, this week was, as always, active for Ukraine. Visits by the Prime Minister of Finland, the Minister of Defense of Norway, UN Secretary-General Guterres, leaders of the ruling German Social Democratic Party, and a conversation with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. All of this yields results.

In particular, we have significantly strengthened air defense – I thank Norway for this; we have new agreements on the diplomatic front; there is movement on the European integration track – as a result of the implementation of anti-corruption steps set out in the recommendations of the European Commission, including the appointment of a new Director of NABU.

I would like to express gratitude to our power engineers for this week, to all the repair crews, local and central authorities who were involved in the elimination of consequences of the Russian terrorist attack on Thursday.

As of today, we have managed to restore the technical capabilities of electricity supply. Kharkiv has electricity. Zhytomyr region has electricity. All cities and communities that had problems with energy supply have been powered again. I thank each and every person who worked for this!

By the way, our program for exchanging old lamps for new LED lamps is also being actively implemented. In total, Ukrainians have already received 12 million LED lamps. Speaking of energy saving, this volume allows us to save up to 600 megawatts of energy. This is roughly equivalent to more than half of the generation of the most powerful nuclear power plant unit. Please take advantage of this lamp exchange program.

I would like to thank our rescuers from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, and in the border areas of Sumy and Chernihiv regions. To all those who are consistently eliminating the consequences of Russian shelling.

Today, I would like to commend the 41st state fire and rescue unit of Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region. Major Herman Starcheus, Captain Serhiy Kulinchenko, junior sergeants Roman Dychko and Kyrylo Sayenko. Thank you guys for your excellent work and courage!

Of course, I am grateful to all our warriors from Khortytsia and Tavria who are fighting in the hottest spots in the most difficult conditions.

In less than one week – since March 6 – in the Bakhmut sector alone, they managed to eliminate more than 1,100 enemy soldiers, which are Russia’s irreversible losses, losses there, near Bakhmut. In addition, at least 1,500 more sanitary losses of the enemy – these are wounds incompatible with continuing fighting. Plus, dozens of units of enemy equipment were destroyed. Plus, more than ten Russian ammunition depots were burned.

I am grateful to every warrior of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, our intelligence – the Shaman fighters, the National Guard, our border guards – everyone who is really fighting for Ukrainian land, for Bakhmut!

I am grateful to the fighters of Tavria who are effectively fighting in the areas of Avdiivka and Maryinka. To the artillerymen of the 55th separate Zaporizhzhia Sich brigade, the warriors of the 35th separate marine brigade, the 74th separate reconnaissance battalion, and our Seventy-Niners – the paratroopers!

And also the Zaporizhzhia direction of Tavria – the 128th separate mountain assault brigade. Thank you all, guys!

I am grateful to each and every one who again helped our soldiers this week, treated them after their injuries, searched for things to support them with, organized volunteer fundraising and sent to the front what they asked for! Together, in unity, we will achieve victory.

This week there is also a movement to strengthen our spiritual independence. Society sees this. And I see the approval of Ukrainians for these steps, which are quite legitimate. And we will continue this movement. We will not allow the terrorist state to have any opportunity to manipulate the spirituality of our people, to destroy Ukrainian shrines – our Lavras – or to steal any valuables from them.

And one more thing. Today is the 160th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding Ukrainian scientist Volodymyr Vernadsky. A man who lived in a very difficult time, but who, despite everything, believed in Ukraine, chose Ukraine, and helped Ukraine.

We are now living in a time when Ukraine can overcome all historical difficulties. We can do that! If we preserve our unity, take care of each other and our country. I thank everyone who cares about Ukraine and Ukrainians! I thank everyone who cares about our unity and the unity of the world for the sake of Ukraine! I thank each and every one who is now fighting for the independence of our country!

May the memory of all those who gave their lives for Ukraine be eternal! All those whom we remember when we say “Glory to Ukraine!”

Today I conferred the title of Hero of Ukraine upon Oleksandr Matsiyevsky, a soldier. A man whom all Ukrainians will know. A man who will be remembered forever. For his bravery, for his confidence in Ukraine and for his “Glory to Ukraine!”

Glory to the Hero! 

Glory to the Heroes! 

Glory to Ukraine!