Belaslav

Russia is preparing for trilateral talks by launching ballistic missiles at Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. Repair and rescue operations are underway in the affected regions wherever the security situation allows. In total, the Russians used 172 drones and 36 ballistic missiles, with all the missiles aimed at Kyiv and the surrounding region. Energy infrastructure was once again the main target. The capital is facing serious difficulties with its electricity, water, and heat supplies. Residential buildings and the Northern Bridge were damaged. A kindergarten was partially destroyed. In the Kyiv region, a substation connecting the Rivne and Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plants to Kyiv and Ukraine’s central regions was hit. Substations were also damaged in the Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Rivne, Kharkiv, and Dnipro regions. In addition to Kyiv, twelve other regions came under attack. Nine people were injured, including one child. I thank all our people who defend the country against this terror every day, work to restore what has been damaged, and do everything they can to get Ukraine through the winter. But when Russia is trying to plunge Kyiv – a city of millions – and the entire country into a blackout, Ukraine must not be left alone. We are counting on increased bilateral support from the United States. We are counting on the U.S. Congress to give more attention to Ukraine, because Russia keeps increasing the number of its attacks. It is important that support for Ukraine remains among the priorities of U.S. policy. We are counting on both parties to stand united on matters of security, support for Ukraine, condemnation of Russian aggression, and increased sanctions pressure on Putin. America’s resolve and consistency in supporting Ukraine are crucial in bringing peace closer.

We fight for freedom and die for freedom. Words are important. Words from the United States – the biggest supporter of freedom – are important. Support is important. If the words against Putin and his aggression are strong, if a support package for Ukraine is strong, Putin will think twice, three times, ten times about whether he wants to attack or maybe this war has been enough for him. I always tried to make this point to the American President, with all due gratitude to him and his team: Putin respects only a strong position. Even from the enemy, but a strong position. We cannot end this war saying good things about him. We see it – the war is in its fifth year now. From an interview with Jake Tapper on CNN. (2/3)

We now have intel that another strike is being prepared – targeting our energy sector, bridges across the Dnipro, and civilian infrastructure. The Air Force and the Armed Forces of Ukraine overall are preparing to protect us. We need interceptor missiles for our Patriots. Every agreement matters, and every day counts when it comes to deliveries. We're asking our partners very strongly: please don't put off deliveries. Please stay safe, given the threat of missile attacks. Glory to Ukraine!

When Putin seized Crimea, both Europe and America were quite openly making calls, holding meetings, and sending signals to the Ukrainians who were in power at the time that there should be no escalation – let's just keep things friendly and leave things as they are for now. And we lost Crimea. After that, we lost part of Donbas. But the shooting in the east continued. There was no peace. People think we were always helped. That is not true. Help started coming after the full-scale invasion, but that was after eight years of Russia occupying our territory. That is a long time to figure things out and understand that Putin has no intention of giving anything back to us. At one point, some Europeans asked me: “Why do you think that if you withdraw from Donbas, he will go further?” And I answered: “Because at the beginning of the war, he wasn't seizing Donbas. He came to the capital. He seized parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, Kherson itself, and Kharkiv region.” We have retaken a lot of territory, but he had seized different parts of our country. And now they want us to give them something because they are unable to seize it. We may have a smaller territory, less money, and fewer weapons, but we still have more dignity than many others. We will do everything we can to end this war, but it must end in a way that preserves our dignity. From an interview with ZDF. (2/3)

We’ve just had a humanitarian operation in Oleshky, which we coordinated together with the First Lady of the United States. And this operation proved something very simple – when Putin wants the fighting to stop, it stops. There was real silence. No attacks. And we saved lives. And the same goes for our people held in Russian captivity. When Putin wants, they come home. And the same goes for our children kidnapped by Russia. From an address at the 30th Ibero-American Summit. (1/3)

Search and rescue operations have now been underway for three days at the site of the Russian strike on a school in the settlement of Komyshuvakha in the Zaporizhzhia region. The Russians used nine aerial bombs. They first struck people who had come to receive humanitarian aid, and then first responders and police officers who arrived at the scene. All necessary services are involved. It is an extremely difficult operation, very challenging, and it is being carried out under virtually constant threat of new Russian strikes. As of now, 40 people have been reported killed. Unfortunately, some bodies have not yet been identified. My condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed. More than 30 people may still be under the rubble. Unfortunately, there has been very little reaction from the world to this insane attack. But it, like thousands upon thousands of other war crimes Russia has committed against Ukraine and Ukrainians, demands a strong response. Evil always goes further if it is left unanswered. We count on a response – Ukraine needs air defense support right now. I am grateful to the partners who are taking such steps.

The Russians carried out a complex, massive attack overnight, aimed primarily at our critical infrastructure. And the main target was energy – power generation facilities and substations – in the Odesa, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Chernivtsi, Chernihiv, and Rivne regions. In many cities and communities, emergency and unscheduled power outages are ongoing. In Kharkiv, the Russians directly struck a city clinical hospital. Seventy-three people were injured, and the cardiology department, where people were receiving treatment, was damaged. A rescue operation has also been underway since yesterday in Komyshuvakha, in the Zaporizhzhia region. Tragically, the death toll has risen. Russia has killed 29 people. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Five people were injured. There are still people under the rubble. Rescue operations continue as far as the security situation allows – there is a threat of Russian double-tap strikes, as they always so wickedly do. Overnight alone, the Russians launched 289 attack drones, 17 ballistic missiles, and 59 cruise missiles. And even now, the air raid alert continues, and there is a threat of new Russian missile and drone attacks. It is very telling that all of this is happening on the day of the U.S. congressional elections. The Russians believe that America will not notice this signal from them. But such terror must be noticed and stopped. Ukraine must be helped to defend its skies, otherwise Russia will never stop its missile strikes. It is essential to help build peace honestly and reliably, and America can do that. Thank you to everyone who will not remain silent about this Russian attack. Thank you to everyone who supports the defense of Ukraine.