Every Russian Strike Will Be Met with Our Response – Address by the President

Fellow Ukrainians,

Work is still ongoing in Odesa following last night’s strike. There were power and water outages – all services are working to restore supplies. As of this morning, more than 300,000 families in Odesa and the region were without power. By now, power has already been restored to a third of them, and the work continues. I want to thank all the repair crews, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, and everyone involved.

There were also strikes on Kharkiv and the region, Pavlohrad, Kherson, Sumy region, and our Zhytomyr region. It is important that people everywhere receive real assistance.

Throughout the day, there were reports from Prime Minister Koretskyi. I also spoke with Commander-in-Chief Drapatyi – about the defense of our cities and our responses to Russia. We do deliver entirely justified responses, and every Russian strike will be met with our response. Russia’s war will be felt more and more at their own home – in Russia.

Today, I thank the Armed Forces and the Security Service of Ukraine – the operation targeting Russian oil refining continues, and they really feel it. Russian anti-aircraft missile systems and radar stations were also hit, and there were our responses targeting Russian infrastructure in the Azov and Black Sea regions. The only reason this is still continuing is Russia’s unwillingness to end this war.

This week, we will have new contacts with mediators, specifically regarding the steps and proposals that are needed. Ukraine is always active in diplomacy. There will be new contacts to secure air defense packages too – to protect our country and our people.

And one more point. Whatever happens, we remember: everything rests on the resilience of our units, our warriors on the front. This week, our 14th National Guard Brigade fighting in the Dobropillia area deserves recognition. Thank you, warriors! The Kostiantynivka sector – the 100th Separate Mechanized Brigade. Thank you! The Kramatorsk sector – thank you to the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade. And in the areas of active operations of the Airborne Assault Forces, I thank the 79th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade. Well done, warriors!

And I thank everyone who defends our country, defends our positions, everyone who remembers that the fate of Ukraine and Ukrainian independence is determined by the contribution each of us actually makes to defending Ukraine and supporting those beside us. Let’s take care of Ukraine.

Glory to Ukraine!