President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday hailed the “significant results” of the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the east of the country, at a time when the strategic Russian-controlled city of Lyman is partially surrounded by Kyiv troops.
“We have significant results in the east of the country (…) The whole world has heard what is happening in Lyman, in the Donetsk region. These are steps that mean a lot to us,” he said with delight in his daily speech published on social networks.
“We must liberate all our lands, and this will be the best proof that international law and human values cannot be violated by any terrorist state, no matter how insolent, like Russia,” he told the camera, with drawn features.
Volodymyr Zelensky recognized that “the path of our country is difficult” but “clear” in his eyes: “It is the path of independence, territorial integrity, integration into the civilized world and social development,” he said before a Russia that, according to him, he is doomed only to “defeat, shame, and damnation.”
“A deliberate and absolutely calculated murder”
Earlier Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin formalized the annexation of four regions in southern and eastern Ukraine partially or fully controlled by Moscow, a move widely condemned by Kyiv and its Western allies.
Regarding the deadly attack perpetrated on Friday against civilians in Zaporijjia, the Ukrainian president also denounced “a deliberate and absolutely calculated murder” by the Russian army.
The pro-Russian occupation authorities in Zaporizhia have accused the Ukrainian forces of having fired on these vehicles to prevent waiting civilians from reaching the area under Russian control.
“At the moment there are 30 dead,” confirmed Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian police had reported the same figure a few minutes earlier.
Source: BFM TV
