President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, outlining our country's global mission regarding world food security and the situation at the front over the past day.

"I wish you good health, dear Ukrainians!

October 16 marks World Food Day. This day was established in memory of the founding of a UN specialized agency that deals with poverty and hunger — FAO. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

For decades, the world has worked to solve the problem of hunger. And hardly anyone among the founders of the UN could have imagined back then that in the 21st century we would all be forced once again to fight against the threat of mass famine — an artificial one!

A famine for which only one country in the world is responsible — Russia — and its terrorist war against a free world.

When Russia blocked our Ukrainian ports and disrupted normal food supply chains, it turned the entire world back into a situation as if there had been no decades of international work on food security.

Fortunately, our Ukrainian ports have resumed exporting agricultural products. Since July, we are supplying exactly that amount of food that stabilizes the global market. And precisely to those segments of the food market that ensure consumption in some of the most vulnerable countries in Africa and Asia.

And although our export potential is still far from full, we have managed to export nearly 8 million tons of food by sea — more than 300 ships. 60% of this volume was directed to Africa and Asia. This is a global mission for our country, and thanks to Ukrainian supplies entire regions of the world are maintaining social and political stability.

And I want to thank everyone who makes this possible: our farmers first of all, our transport workers, port employees, our diplomats and officials. Of course, our defenders of the country who hold the south and restore security at sea. And I also want to thank our partners who managed and helped with this initiative. In particular, UN Secretary-General Guterres and President of Turkey Erdogan.

We must do everything we can to expand Ukrainian grain exports. This is jobs for our people and export revenues. Plus funds to conduct next year's sowing. But also for the entire world — one of the key guarantees of stability.

How Ukraine helps maintain normal life in the world only strengthens our country's reputation and makes it easier for us to create new connections in different regions. This week, which is beginning, I expect new international results for our country.

And over the past week, it’s worth noting strengthened contacts with Saudi Arabia. There are significant agreements. Among other things, this includes a decision by partners to provide a humanitarian aid package of $400 million. This is very important. We have the most substantive relations with Saudi Arabia in 30 years right now.

The situation at the front over the past day did not undergo significant changes. Key hotspots on the Donbas — Siversk and Bakhmut, where extremely fierce battles are taking place. Occupants threw against our forces everyone they could, including 2 thousand "zeks" — they are among the mercenaries there. And these "zeks" have long sentences for serious crimes. They hold them at the front not only with money but also with a promise of amnesty.

That's how the Russian state sponsors terrorism — it searches prisons for killers and promises them freedom if they kill again. Is anyone in the world still doubting whether to officially recognize Russia as a terrorist state? Hardly.

I thank all our soldiers who heroically hold positions both under Bakhmut, and under Siversk, and on all other fronts where battles are currently taking place — in the east and south of the country.

In particular, I want to highlight today the 60th Ingulets Infantry Brigade, the 17th Separate Tank Krivoy Rog Brigade named after Konstantin Pestushko, the 128th Separate Mountain-Storm Brigade and the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade named after Yakov Hanyuk for their coordinated actions on the Kherson front and effective destruction of enemy equipment. Thank you to you, soldiers!

I also thank the Kherson Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade for successfully defending our skies from Iranian drones and Russian aviation.

Separately, I want to highlight today those units that provided us with a result in replenishing the exchange fund. This is extremely important: each person who captures Russian soldiers ensures our ability to free our heroes.

I thank the 54th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion named after Mikhail Tishy, the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade and the 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade for significantly increasing our ability to return Ukrainians home during offensive operations.

We remember our people held in Russia. We must free them all, leaving no one to the enemy. But for this we need to capture occupiers — as many as possible.

And one more thing that needs to be said today.

Due to Russian rocket terror in some cities and regions of Ukraine, it is necessary to limit electricity supply so that the entire system can work stably. But such stabilization blackouts will not be needed when we all in Ukraine consciously reduce our consumption during peak hours. This is a small thing for each person's daily life, but very important for the entire energy system of Ukraine. For example, this Saturday residents of Chernihiv region reduced their electricity consumption by 20%. I am very grateful to you. On average across the country — by 10%. Kyiv and the region — only 7%. Please do more if you have the ability. From 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM we need to reduce our electricity consumption. This is a step that, together with others, will ensure defeat for Russian terrorist plans.

I thank everyone who defends Ukraine!

Thank you each and every one of those who fight, work, help for the sake of our victory! In unity and joint action — lies our strength, the strength of Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!"