• Українською
  • Address by Minister of Defence of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov
    Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, posted 24 March 2022 10:20

    Minister of Defence of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov:

    Dear Ukrainians!

    This period of war, which began with russia's attack on Crimea more than eight years ago, will go down in history as a «month of invincible».

    The Ukrainian army and Ukrainian people withstood a blow that could have destroyed many. But not for us.

    I would like to sincerely thank all our defenders, brave men and women, and citizens who work in their place for the country's life.

    We have proved to ourselves and the whole world that Ukraine is above all for us during this time.

    We will not let anyone take away from us the state we dreamed of, for which generations of Ukrainians were fighting, dying, sent to Siberia or Solovki.

    In a month, we have many symbols of invincibility. The heroic Mariupol, the unstoppable Kharkiv, the courageous Chernihiv and many other towns and villages have shown that the russian occupiers will not rule our land.

    In Sumy, Hostomel, Volnovakha, Akhtyrka, Makariv, Konotop, Mykolaiv, Brovary, Izium and several times in Chernobayivka, the unsolicited visitors were taught the difference between "on" and "in" Ukraine.

    Kherson, where unarmed citizens are resisting the occupiers, proves to everyone that no one called the russian soldiers. Instead, they are war criminals from a terrorist state that have invaded by force.

    In one month, they killed more than 120 Ukrainian children. Thousands upon thousands of little Ukrainians have lost their parents, their homes and experienced what we will never forgive the enemy.

    The horrors of russia's murderers and looters are gradually being recognised even by those who, for years, have turned a blind eye to the nature of the kremlin regime. They rape, pillage and destroy everything they cannot steal.

    We will avenge the sorrow of all Ukrainian towns and villages temporarily occupied by the enemy. For Trostiyanets, Melitopol, Shchastia and Stanytsia Luhanska.

    In Kreminna in the Luhansk region, Russian villains set up a tank and shot the home for elderly people. Fifty-six people died. It is not an accidental hit or "coordinate work". This is the deliberate killing of the defenceless, a war crime. That's why the army is a gang of terrorists, criminals and cowards.

    Our soldiers have already hit more than 100 Russian aircraft and more than 125 helicopters, more than 520 tanks and more than 1,500 armoured vehicles. The total losses of the enemy - killed, wounded, prisoners of war and missing in action - already amount to more than 40,000. Moreover, the number of deserters is increasing.

    We have a challenging period ahead of us. The Russian war machine will not stop until it drowns in the blood of its soldiers. Russian society is already experiencing some consequences but is intimidated and passive.

    It looks doomed, for it is not prepared to save their children from senseless death and at least carry away the bodies of the dead. It is difficult to find words to assess the depth of this moral degradation.

    Therefore our only way is to stand under the invasion of Mordor. Because of pain, fear, loss. Because of all trials.

    Because we love our children, parents and loved ones, we just can't let the monsters determine our future and take over our home.

    We will kick them out. We will rebuild everything. We will cleanse our land of the effects of war. It will take a lot of effort and time.

    Our army has survived and is strengthened by the reserve. However, we are restraining the enemy and moving to active defence. International support is gradually increasing.

    The main thing now is for the economy to work and shift progressively to military mode. Naturally, there are difficulties here that we will not hide and perceive as a task to be solved.

    As long as we are united, we will overcome everything.

    Glory to Ukraine!