Our strong people of our indomitable country!
The 24th day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is over. After eight years of aggression. Ukrainians have proved that they know how to fight more professionally than an army that has been fighting for decades in different regions and under different conditions. We respond with wisdom and courage to the huge number of their equipment and soldiers sent to Ukraine.
That is why, for example, the Ukrainian Chornobayivka will go down in war history. This is a place where the Russian military and their commanders have shown themselves completely – as they are: incompetent, able to simply drive their people to slaughter. Six times our military destroyed the occupiers near Chornobayivka. Six times! And they still come there.
The blockade of Mariupol will go down in history of responsibility for war crimes. To do this to the peaceful city that the occupiers did is a terror that will be remembered for centuries to come. And the more Ukrainians tell the world about it, the more support we find. The more Russia uses terror against Ukraine, the worse the consequences will be for it.
Today I addressed the people of Switzerland.
This is a special state. She does not push others with her elbows on the international stage. But when he speaks his word, he is heard by absolutely everyone. Switzerland has backed European Union sanctions against Russia. This means a lot for the Russian state machine. For people who are used to the fact that power is money. So, these are banks. So, Switzerland and other countries that help save capital. I am grateful to the President and to the people of Switzerland and to their country for their sincere support in our struggle for life and liberty. For not staying away. And urged them to take a few more steps.
That all Swiss companies that have not yet left the Russian market do so immediately. Not to give a single dollar, franc or euro to a Russian military vehicle to kill our people.
So that all those responsible for the war against our state could not enjoy life in Switzerland, real estate in Switzerland, banks in Switzerland.
Our Armed Forces continue to deter the enemy in all major areas. Inflict unprecedented losses on Russian troops. Some units of the occupiers were destroyed by 80-90%.
In places of particularly fierce fighting, the front line of our defense is simply littered with the corpses of Russian soldiers. And these corpses, these bodies, no one takes away. New units are chasing them on the offensive. Some reserves that the command of the Russian troops collects wherever it can.
We are well aware that Russia simply has a bottomless human resource and a lot of equipment, missiles and air bombs.
But I want to ask the citizens of Russia. What has happened to you over the years that you have stopped noticing your losses?
Do the words “son”, “mother”, “father” mean anything to you anymore?
More than 14,000 of your soldiers have already been killed. That’s 14,000 mothers. That’s 14,000 fathers. These are wives, children, relatives and friends. And you don’t notice it? But there will be only more victims. This war is still going on. Your war against us, Russia against Ukraine. On our earth.
Eight humanitarian corridors were open on Saturday. 6623 people were rescued.
Due to the shelling of the occupiers, we were unable to remove people from Borodyanka, Kyiv region. But we will not abandon these attempts.
Ukrainians were evacuated from Bervytsia, Bucha, and Bogdanovka to Brovary.
People were taken to Bakhmut from Lysychansk, Popasna, Severodonetsk, and Rubizhne in the Luhansk region.
More than 4,000 Mariupol residents managed to leave for Zaporizhia.
Unfortunately, it was not possible to deliver the humanitarian cargo to the cities of Kherson region. Russian troops blocked the movement of our column. Why? Their goal has not changed – in the same way they try to portray in their propaganda that Ukraine has left its citizens without the necessities. It is as if Russia is constantly saving them from something.
Although on February 23 our Kherson residents had more than in the regions of Russia itself.
He spoke today with French President Macron. About our interaction. About finding a solution for peace, for the liberation of our territories. To save our people.
I am sure you understand that negotiations are not easy and pleasant. But they are needed. Because it’s about life.
Ukraine has always sought a peaceful solution. The more we are interested in peace now.
Because we count everyone killed. Because it means to us every ruined family, every ruined house. Because we are Ukrainians, and for us a person is priceless.
Today I signed a decree on awarding 161 of our defenders with state awards of Ukraine. 40 of them are posthumous. And the decree on awarding the title of Hero of Ukraine to 12 servicemen. Eight of them – posthumously.
He also met with soldiers of the special unit of the National Police of Ukraine KORD. He noted their actions with awards. He thanked for the service, for the protection of our peaceful cities and for the help of the army.
In total, during the days of the full-scale war, 70 of our defenders have already been awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. 2,180 Ukrainians were awarded orders and medals for courage, for saving comrades and civilians, for effective actions in defense of the state.
I’m sure I can ska