Dear Ukrainians!
All day long, recovery efforts have been underway following the Russian strike. It’s a great deal of work. Electricity has already been restored for more than 725,000 families: Kyiv and the Kyiv region, the Dnipro and Kirovohrad regions, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv. The situation remains difficult in the Sumy region, as well as in the Kharkiv, Kherson, and Donetsk regions, due to security challenges, which complicate repair work. During the day, there were new drone attacks, shelling, and air raid alerts. Work is still ongoing in our capital.
Where necessary, energy companies have arranged for scheduled electricity supplies. In Kyiv and the Kirovohrad region, water supply restoration efforts continued throughout the day. In Kyiv, it is almost fully restored; in the Kirovohrad region, the pumps are being restarted, and the system is being refilled.
The task for all our regions is to ensure sufficient backup power for water utilities. In some communities, this has already been implemented, and it should be extended to those where we currently observe the relevant issues. Today’s strike has resulted in casualties, particularly in Kyiv and the regions, at energy facilities. Everyone is receiving assistance. Tragically, in Zaporizhzhia, the Russians have killed a child – the boy was 7 years old – my condolences.
Putin is clearly taking advantage of the moment while the world is almost entirely focused on the prospect of establishing peace in the Middle East. Most countries, all key leaders, have their attention fixed on what is happening there. And this is truly a good opportunity to achieve real peace in that region after so many victims. And this is a new low in Russian depravity – to intensify terrorist strikes at a moment like this, hitting the very lives of our people. Just last night alone, nearly 500 drones were launched in multiple waves, about 200 of them “shaheds,” also 32 missiles, mostly ballistic ones. Only one response can be given to this: more strength, more air defenses to protect our critical infrastructure, and increased pressure on Russia so that they are truly held accountable for everything they do. Sanctions must be tightened. We have discussed it with partners. Russian assets must be fully used primarily to strengthen our defense, to strengthen us, and ensure our recovery.
Today, I also spoke with the President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, about financial means to support Ukraine. We also discussed our energy system and our resilience.
I also had a call today with President Stubb of Finland. He met with the President of the United States the day before. We discussed our current steps, which contacts could help protect lives and restrain this terrorist in Moscow.
I spoke with Prime Minister Starmer of the United Kingdom – and we are counting on strong UK support in these difficult circumstances. We discussed the prospects of UK participation in the PURL initiative. It is a robust initiative that enables us to procure American weapons. This is really important. The things that protect us. In particular, it means missiles for the Patriots.
Today, I also spoke with Chancellor Merz of Germany. I informed him of the situation and the consequences of the Russian strike. I am very grateful to him, and I am grateful to Germany for the air defense systems already in place to protect Ukraine. We discussed with Mr. Chancellor the Russian intentions and our shared ability to defend ourselves and ensure protection.
I am grateful for the support to all partners who truly help through their actions, and not just words.
I held a Staff meeting today – naturally about energy, which is a key issue. But there were also reports regarding the front: in the Dobropillia areas, our forces thwarted another Russian attempt to strike our positions.
I held a meeting with everyone responsible for the international agenda: the Government, the Head of the Office, and the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council. The tasks are clear. We know them: which countries can help Ukraine with additional air defense systems and compatible missiles. What is needed here is precisely the result I spoke about with the leaders. We have agreements at the leaders’ level; now we need efforts on the level of all our teams, and we need the corresponding results. We know which other countries can join the PURL initiative, and I expect concrete outcomes from our communication with those countries. Our diplomats must become even more proactive in this regard. And third is sanctions. The pause without new, strong sanctions against Russia for this war has lasted far too long.
And additionally, I want to commend all our people – everyone who has been working since morning: our power engineers, our repair crews, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, public utility workers – everyone working to restore electricity to our cities and villages, to make sure our people have light, water, and, most importantly, life without terrorists, without Moscow, without war.
We must stay strong and fight together for our state and for our people. Thank you! We are grateful to everyone.
Glory to Ukraine!