I Signed a Decree Establishing a Special Command within the Armed Forces – A Command for Long-Range, Effectively Global, Impact on Russia over This War – Address by the President

Dear Ukrainians!

Today brought new results from our Defense Forces in long-range sanctions against Russia: Russia’s gasoline crisis is deepening – quite justly – in response to Putin’s reluctance to end this war. We have put forward proposals on how to bring peace closer, and we have support not only among our partners around the world, but also within Putin’s own circle. They understand what is happening and that peace has no alternative. This sentiment in Russia will continue to grow. Today, our long-range strikes reached several regions inside Russia itself, as well as targets in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. I thank our warriors for their precision.

The Security Service of Ukraine's long-range sanctions campaign is also progressing well. We will continue to strengthen this area: our warriors must have far greater capabilities to reach the Russian occupiers exactly where they are bringing war against Ukraine from – Russian territory.

Today, I signed a decree establishing a special command within the Armed Forces – a command for long-range, effectively global, impact on Russia over this war. This command must concentrate 100% of the available resources on degrading Russia’s warfighting potential even more. The commander in charge of this direction will be strong and certainly highly experienced.

The second point today. The assault forces will undergo the necessary transformation. There are many issues – problems that must be addressed – above all, in how people are treated. Law enforcement is taking the procedural steps. There will also be changes at the command level within the assault forces.

Today, I signed a decree establishing the Joint Rapid Response Forces. This must be a new branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, combining the combat capability of our assault forces with the necessary unmanned component, the necessary artillery component, and other capabilities to ensure the fastest possible response on the front. It also must be a modern, technology-driven assault force. The Joint Rapid Response Forces must be led by an experienced officer and proven combat commander. Today, I spoke with Hero of Ukraine Dmytro Voloshyn and appointed him to carry out this mission. Brigadier General Voloshyn, commander of the 8th Airborne Assault Corps, can further strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in this area.

One more thing. It is essential that Ukraine's diplomatic team work much more actively with our partners. Every single day, every day, Russia continues its attacks – Kharkiv, Sumy, Konotop, Kherson, Kyiv and the Kyiv region, Nikopol, other cities across our Dnipro region, including Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, Chornomorsk, as well as cities in the Donetsk region and our Zaporizhzhia. Every day, we need tangible steps of support from Ukraine’s partners. Everything we agreed on at the level of leaders must now be delivered quickly. Preferably – very quickly. We need this result every single day. And when it comes to our relations with our neighbors in the region, we will take steps to strengthen our diplomacy. Ukraine must be heard, and our Ukrainian national interests must be understood.

I want to thank everyone who works for Ukraine, who fights for Ukraine, and who helps us protect our people and defend our independence.

Glory to Ukraine!