President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about the situation in the de-occupied areas of Kharkiv Oblast and the consequences of a vile missile strike on Kryvyi Rih.

"Ukrainians! Ukrainian women!

I returned from Kharkiv Oblast — from our Kharkiv Oblast, from the areas that were liberated.

As of today, almost the entire oblast is de-occupied. This was an unprecedented move by our soldiers — Ukrainians managed to do what many thought impossible. In just one day of active operations, our troops advanced 19 kilometers. Over five days in combat, they covered 110 kilometers. Overall, nearly 400 populated areas have been de-occupied. 150 thousand Ukrainians who remained on this territory are now once again experiencing what it feels like to live a normal, peaceful life.

The Russian army was in Kharkiv Oblast for over five months. And during that time, the occupiers did not even try to do anything for people, only destroying, only taking away, only exporting. They left behind devastated villages, and in some of them there is no single intact building. The occupiers left schools turned into garbage dumps and churches — destroyed, literally turned into toilets.

Journalists have gained access to the liberated areas — both Ukrainian journalists and foreign ones. The world will see these devastations, will feel the pain that Russia has brought to Ukrainians. Our law enforcement officers are already receiving evidence of murders, torture, and abductions by occupiers. What the world saw in Bucha, what we saw on de-occupied territory in Chernihiv Oblast and Sumy Oblast, what we see now with you in Kharkiv Oblast — these are proofs of genocide against Ukrainians. Proofs that Russia can only bring genocide.

And I will say to my "comrades" in Russian.

Today's missile strikes, Russian missiles on Kryvyi Rih, at the Karachunovska dam, at objects that have no military value whatsoever, targeting hundreds of thousands of ordinary civilians — this is yet another reason why Russia will lose. It will not only lose this war but also history.

History is written by people, not by inhumans. What will you be remembered as in history? All those who are firing these missiles. Those who came to our land. Cowards. You — cowards who fight against civilians. Scoundrels who, fleeing the battlefield, try to harm from afar. You will remain terrorists whom their own grandchildren will be ashamed of.

Events show that the only way out for Russian soldiers is to surrender to Ukrainian forces. Only this guarantees them survival and treatment in accordance with all conventions. Every Russian soldier should have already understood that they will not be used as cannon fodder in an obviously losing war for Russia.

At the site of the missile strike on Kryvyi Rih, everything is being done to mitigate the consequences of this latest Russian villainy. Villainy that may appeal to deranged Russian propagandists but will certainly not salvage the moral-psychological state of Russian soldiers. They have understood that their command is incompetent and that they face a rout in Ukraine on all fronts. No terror can make up for it, because terror only confirms the weakness of those who resort to it.

Today in Izium I awarded our heroes. It was an honor for me — to present state awards right there on this land to those who liberated it. I thank soldiers of the 14th and 92nd separate mechanized brigades, the 25th separate airborne brigade, the 80th separate assault brigade — all of them, all those who in just five days forced the enemy to panic retreat, abandon equipment, ammunition, numerous Russian flags. I thank the 107th rocket artillery brigade, the 40th, 43rd and 44th separate artillery brigades, the 26th artillery brigade — all of them who ensured timely destruction of enemy targets, advancement of our ground units. And, of course, I thank GUO fighters — all those who turned the enemy's panic into real hysteria.

I thank Lieutenant General Oleksandr Syrskyi and his staff officers — all those who planned and successfully carried out the military operation to liberate Kharkiv Oblast.

The Ukrainian flag will return to all parts of our country. Just as in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukrainian soldiers will be met on Donbas, in the south, in Crimea. This will happen, it is inevitable.

Today in Kharkiv I held a meeting regarding the energy situation in the city and oblast. We take into account that the state-terrorist may resort to any new villainies. At all levels of Ukrainian governance — both central and local, rescue services, energy workers, transporters — the task has been set to prepare for any scenarios. Energy reserves, heat, water supply reserves are needed — for all likely cases.

We are preparing for tomorrow's active day. We expect news from the front lines. There will be diplomatic news from Kyiv — with a visit by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The day before in Brussels was almost an Ukrainian day. For the first time in EU history, during a special session of the European Parliament as part of the annual state-of-the-union address, our country was actually presented and represented — this is our country. So far — outside the EU. We are working towards full membership — politically, legally, symbolically.

The First Lady of Ukraine was present during this annual address by the President of the European Commission. We have an important result from this visit — one hundred million euros for rebuilding 74 schools in Ukraine within the Fast Recovery Plan. We will do everything to make a large-scale social initiative succeed as well — canceling roaming charges for our people in the EU and for Europeans in Ukraine. This will be a significant signal of our closeness. And I thank Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, thank all our friends in the EU for their unwavering support.

Thank you to all our soldiers! Thank you each and every one who participates in rescue operations after Russian strikes. We will respond to terrorists on every single act of villainy, on every missile, on every shell. We can do this.

Glory to Ukraine!"