President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about a meeting regarding the activities of the executive branch and the preparation of a post-war recovery plan for the country.

"Ukrainians!

Our defenders!

Last night, the Russian army used a missile to destroy the museum of Hryhorii Skovoroda in Kharkiv region. A missile. To destroy a museum. The museum of a philosopher and poet who lived in the 18th century. Who taught people what true Christian attitude towards life is and how humans can know themselves. It seems that this is a great danger for contemporary Russia — museums, Christian attitudes toward life, and human self-knowledge.

Every day of this war, the Russian army does things for which there are no words. But every next day it does something new that you feel in a different way.

Targeted missile strikes on museums — even a terrorist wouldn't think of such an idea. Yet this is the kind of army fighting against us. This is what they want to bring to other European countries as well.

As of May 7, the Russian army has already destroyed or damaged nearly 200 cultural heritage sites.

Today, occupiers launched a missile attack on Odessa. On a city where almost every street has something memorable, something historical. But for the Russian army, it doesn't matter. They just want to kill and destroy. Odessa? Kharkiv region? Donbas? It's all the same to them.

Only Ukraine’s Armed Forces and our people's resistance can stop this inhuman onslaught. This barbarism that has missiles but nothing of what makes humans human.

Such actions by Russian occupiers, especially on the eve of the Day of Memory of All Victims of World War II and Victory over Nazism Day, should remind every state and nation that it is impossible to defeat evil once and for all.

Unfortunately, evil has a property of returning when people do not respect others' rights, disrespect laws, and destroy culture. This is what happened with the Russian state. That's why we are now defending ourselves. Defending our people, our cities, and even our museums that become targets for precise Russian missile strikes.

Thank you to teams of the International Committee of the Red Cross and United Nations Organization who helped us carry out the first stage of evacuation mission from 'Azovstal'. We managed to rescue over 300 people — women, children. In fact, we evacuated civilians from 'Azovstal'.

And now we are preparing for the second phase of the evacuation mission — wounded and medics. Of course, if all parties fulfill their agreements. Of course, if there is no deceit.

Unquestionably, we are also working on evacuating our military personnel. All heroes who defend Mariupol. This is extremely difficult. But it's important. I am sure everyone understands the main reason for this difficulty and where that reason lies. But we do not lose hope. We do not stop. Every day we look for a diplomatic solution that might work.

Our team will continue tomorrow to organize humanitarian corridors for all residents of Mariupol and nearby settlements.

I held today's meeting regarding the activities of the executive branch. Main issues — economic ones, especially about ensuring Ukrainians with fuel. About overcoming the shortage of fuel that occurred after Russian missiles destroyed our Kremenchuk plant and oil product bases across the country.

I heard reports on what is specifically being done to organize sufficient supplies of gasoline and other types of fuel in Ukraine. The key task for officials — to speed up transportation of fuel from European ports to our consumers. Such transportation volume should increase daily.

Also, I heard a report by the Minister of Finance on the state of budget implementation.

We are doing everything possible for the state to fulfill all social obligations despite the budget deficit and deliberate destruction of our economy by Russian army.

We also discussed in detail the preparation of a post-war recovery plan for the country. This is a very large task. But I have no doubts that we will implement it.

Today, I was in Borodyanka, Kyiv region, which is gradually returning to normal life.

Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak together with Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov inspected the restored railway bridge over Irpin River — traffic on it has already resumed. Today we can say that cities and communities in Kyiv region, liberated from occupiers, are connected by normal transport links.

Also, as is traditional, I signed decrees awarding our defenders this evening.

State awards were conferred to 216 members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The title of Hero of Ukraine was posthumously awarded to Colonel Oleg Irodyevich Hegechkori (commander of a helicopter squadron of the 11th separate air force brigade of the Ground Forces of Ukraine).

Eternal glory to all who stood up for our country!

Eternal memory to each one who gave their life for Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!»