Ukrainian defenders have already liberated 931 settlements, says Zelensky
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The President said that many cities and communities remain temporarily occupied by the Russian army, but it is only a matter of time until they are liberated.
"Ukrainian men and women have exhibited a mass readiness to defend the state,” Zelensky noted.
“Regardless of their age, status, or education — Ukrainian men and women have equally stood up for the state. This war has become truly a people’s battle for Ukraine. And it showed that throughout our territory — from east to west, from north to south — the Ukrainian idea is equally strong, equally national."
Other highlights from the president's address:
- in two months, the Russians have used more than 1,100 missiles and countless air bombs against Ukraine;
- since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, 9,781 Ukrainian defenders have received state awards, 142 defenders have been conferred the title of Hero of Ukraine;
- Russia wants to act out a sham "referendum" on Ukrainian territory. If this goes ahead, it will be as shameful as the rest of what was "concocted" by the Kremlin for the occupation of Ukraine;
- for Russia to seek peace, every Ukrainian man and woman must fight and defend freedom every day, because every day of struggle now translates into years of peaceful life after Ukraine's victory. Zelensky stressed that Ukrainians should think about how to make the stay of the occupiers on Ukrainian soil even more unbearable.
