Dear Ukrainians!
Today, even during the day, Russia launched new “shahed” attacks against Ukraine. From morning through the day, there were more than 200 drones. And although a significant number of those “shaheds” were shot down, unfortunately, some still hit their targets.
There were also strikes on Zaporizhzhia – sadly, people were killed. My condolences to the families and loved ones. There were attacks on the Donetsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Dnipro regions. Right now, there is another air raid alert in Kyiv.
Tonight and in the coming days, please take air raid alerts especially seriously: the Russians have prepared for a new massive strike. Please stay safe.
The Russians are not ending the war, even though all proposals to do so, all realistic formats and real opportunities – everything has long been on the table, and Putin must make a choice in favor of diplomacy and a normal peace. Our proposal for a meeting – a proposal to Putin – for a direct and honest dialogue in a Ukraine–Russia format, with the support of partners – our proposal still stands. And it is important that the war ultimately ends with peace.
I thank all the partners who are helping us, Ukraine. Right now, the pressure is still not enough. And over this week, we’ve reached new agreements with our partners, including the United States, to make sure that pressure is applied – and that it’s strong enough. The United States and all our partners in Europe, in the G7, assess the situation the same way and are ready to keep supporting Ukraine. I thank you for that.
Our teams are in touch almost every day. The priorities are clear – air defenses, anti-ballistic capabilities, and sanctions against Russia. We’re counting on the agreements reached this week to deliver the results we need. Russia must end its aggression.
There’s also a reason to thank our warriors – especially the warriors of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces. Our long-range sanctions have reached Russia’s Tyumen region – another oil-processing facility, over 2,000 kilometers from our state border. An effective strike.
The job was carried out by the new, upgraded FP drones that can now reach targets at distances of 3,000 kilometers. I am grateful to the Fire Point engineers. These are fully justified responses to Russian strikes against our country. Ukraine’s long-range sanctions plan is moving forward.
Our mid-range strikes against military targets in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine are also ongoing. Importantly, they are having a real impact on Russian military logistics.
And one more thing. Belarus. Ukraine has repeatedly signaled that if Russia drags Belarus into this war as well, it could lead to extremely dangerous consequences. In particular, we have recorded that along our border, on Belarusian territory, special equipment has been installed that works for Russia – for the Russians – and helps the Russians carry out drone strikes against us, against our territory. We in Ukraine know of four such signal relay stations in Belarus – specifically in the Gomel and Brest regions. It is precisely this kind of equipment that made possible the strikes on the Zhytomyr, Rivne, and Volyn regions – on our energy infrastructure, on our railways, on ordinary cities and villages. Belarus has time to take down this equipment.
We also know about every plant in Belarus that is working for Russia and serving this war. Any enterprise supplying components for Russian weapons – for armored vehicles, for missile systems – as well as any facility supplying Russia with fuel for this war, is all part of drawing Belarus into the war. Ukraine does not want that, and we have already warned the de facto leadership of Belarus, which influences the relevant developments.
In total, just from January to May, gasoline supplies from Belarus to Russia increased thirteenfold compared to the same period last year, and diesel supplies tripled. Unfortunately, this helps Russia adapt to pressure and does not bring peace closer. It should be the other way around: peace should be getting closer, and Belarus should act in line with what its de facto leadership is saying through unofficial channels, so that we can actually see in Ukraine that Belarus is truly against it, against this war.
This war must be brought to an end. We need peace. I want to thank everyone who stands with Ukraine. I thank all our people for their strength and pride – pride in being Ukrainian.
Glory to Ukraine!