Fellow Ukrainians!
Recovery efforts are ongoing following the Russian strike on Ukraine – a massive attack in which the Russians are not even trying to conceal their true intentions. The overwhelming majority of targets were civilian objects and ordinary infrastructure: the energy sector, civilian enterprises, warehouses – specifically those storing civilian goods – as well as our railway logistics that sustains normal life in our communities and our economy. Dozens of ordinary residential buildings were also damaged.
Unfortunately, there were casualties from this attack. In the Lviv region, four people were killed, including a child. In the Zaporizhzhia region, one person was killed. My condolences to the families and loved ones. As of now, 18 people are reported injured, all of whom are receiving medical assistance.
In total, there were 53 missiles, including air-launched ballistic missiles, and several waves of attack drones – nearly 500 in total, around 250 of them “shaheds.” A significant number were shot down, but unfortunately, not all. Nearly 40 missiles of various types and almost 450 drones were shot down.
And unfortunately, there has been no worthy and strong response from the world to everything that is happening – to the constantly growing scale and audacity of strikes. That is exactly why Putin does this – he simply mocks the West, its silence and the lack of strong actions in response. Russia has spurned every proposal to stop the war or to halt the strikes at least. Russia is openly trying to destroy our civilian infrastructure right now, ahead of winter – our gas infrastructure, our power generation and transmission. Zero real reaction from the world. We will fight so that the world does not remain silent and so that Russia feels the response.
Every Russian missile and every Russian attack drone also contains parts that are still being supplied to Russia from Western countries and various countries close to Russia. Now, in the fourth year of the full-scale war, it is simply strange to hear anyone claim they don’t know how to stop the flow of critical components. A single Russian Kinzhal missile contains 96 foreign-made components, many of them truly critical ones that Russia does not produce itself. The nearly 500 drones the Russians used overnight contain over 100,000 foreign-made parts. Among the manufacturers are companies from the United States, China, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the Netherlands. There are schemes spanning multiple countries. All of this must be stopped.
Next week, a meeting of the G7 sanctions coordinators is scheduled, and our partners already have all our proposals on sanctions and on curbing supply schemes. The materials have been provided – now decisions are needed. We are also preparing our new sanctions – both against those who are working for Russia now, for its war, and against those who are trying to weaken Ukraine at such a time.
In the regions – wherever necessary – repair crews, our energy workers and utility services are engaged in recovery. I want to thank all the first responders of the State Emergency Service and the National Police who are involved. It is important that businesses are also helping. And this is essential – for communities and the entire state to be supported by our entrepreneurs.
I have already held meetings today with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, the head of Naftogaz, and everyone needed to help people and accelerate recovery efforts. I instructed them to visit the regions – to check what communities truly need and to verify the accuracy of every report from the regions. I expect reports on each region, on each community.
I want to thank everyone who is defending Ukraine, who is protecting our people. Thank you to everyone in the world who stands with Ukraine and who truly defends life, not just in their intentions.
And today, Ukraine also marks Education Workers’ Day. Traditionally, on the eve of the holiday, on Friday, we all greet our teachers, and of course, we thank them. And today as well, because one can never express too much gratitude to all Ukrainian teachers, all lecturers, everyone in our country who works to keep schools and universities running, ensuring that our children, despite everything, despite all the attacks and all the Russian cruelty, still have a chance at a normal life and a bright future. I thank all teachers, lecturers, and education workers. This is truly one of the most important things in our country – Ukrainian education continues to function, overcoming every difficulty, and giving children a good level of knowledge. Thank you all, our educators.
Glory to Ukraine!