In his traditional evening address, Volodymyr Zelenskyi talked about the main events of the past day.
“Today we have a weighty decision of international justice. In a case in which there is a real prospect. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin. A historic decision, from which historical responsibility will begin.
The head of the terrorist state and another Russian official have officially become suspects in a war crime. In the deportation of Ukrainian children – the illegal transfer of thousands of our children to the territory of a terrorist state. More than 16,000 cases of forced deportation of Ukrainian children by the occupier have already been recorded in criminal proceedings investigated by our law enforcement officers. But the real, full number of deportees may be much higher.
It would be impossible to carry out such a criminal operation without the order of the highest leader of the terrorist state. Separating children from their families, depriving them of any opportunity to contact their relatives, hiding children on the territory of Russia, scattering them in remote regions – all this is an obvious state policy of Russia, state decisions and state evil. Which begins precisely with the first official of this state,” the Head of State emphasized.
He thanked all international organizations that supported this decision.
“I am grateful to the team of Prosecutor Karim Khan and the International Criminal Court, to everyone in the world who is helping us fight for justice. Grateful for principledness and willingness to really bring to justice those who are guilty.
So far, it has been possible to return a little more than 300 children from all those who were taken away by force, stolen from Ukraine. It is obvious that we have to return everyone. It is obvious that we will continue to do everything for this. For the return of every Ukrainian, every Ukrainian woman, every child of ours. And for the real responsibility of all those responsible for this deportation – from the head of the terrorist state to all the executors,” said the President of Ukraine.
In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyi spoke about how the meeting of the Stavka was held.
“I held a meeting of the Stavka today. The main focus is on the battles in Donbas: Avdiyivka, Bakhmut, Vugledar, Maryinka, Bilogorivka. The main focus is on our soldiers, how to support our brigades, how to give them more strength, opportunities, more weapons and protection. As always, the Chief of Staff, intelligence, commanders of directions reported. The head of “Khortytsia” is General Syrskyi, the head of “Tavria” is General Tarnavskyi. It is these operational groups that operate in Donbas.
And I thank every soldier, every sergeant, every officer – everyone who acts on the front line, everyone who maintains a real defense with their endurance and courage. Thank you for stability, for strength and for the fact that the state sees a perspective for our defense operations, for further active actions.
Today, I would like to pay particular attention to the fighters of our special units. Special Operations Forces – 8th SSO Regiment, thank you guys for the filigree destruction of the enemy in the Bakhmut area and the strong strengthening of our defenses in this direction, in Bakhmut.
Thank you to all our SSO fighters who defend Luhansk region. Special gratitude – to our “sea seals”, the Special Purpose Marine Center, for the successful actions in the south, for the tangible “minus” of the enemy in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia directions, for the powerful response we give to the occupier for his attacks on our forces and cities .
Thank you to the soldiers of the Security Service of Ukraine. To all our defenders from the “Alpha” unit, in particular from the “White Wolves” and “Cousteau” groups. From the 13th Department of Military Counterintelligence of the SBU – thank you all! Thank you to the soldiers of the GUR MO – every soldier, every unit. I thank the soldiers of our International Legion, everyone who feels the need to fight for freedom in the same way that Ukrainians feel this need,” the President said.
He also informed about the new aid package, which was handed over to Ukraine by Slovakia.
“I spoke with the Prime Minister of Slovakia today. He thanked for the new and strong defense support package. In particular, for aircraft – MiGs, which will work for the security of Ukraine and the whole of Europe. We agreed to continue our security dialogue – in Ukraine.
And, by the way, we are already working on filling the next weeks – the time that we will use to strengthen Ukraine, for a new supply of weapons to our soldiers and to speed up the punishment – the punishment of Russia for this war. Glory to all who are now fighting for Ukraine! Kudos to everyone who helps us protect our people! Glory to Ukraine!”, the Head of State emphasized.