President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about the difficult conditions created for our energy workers by Russian terrorists and the protection of the grain export initiative.

"I wish health to all dear Ukrainians!

Today I held a large meeting regarding the situation in the energy sector. Participants included government officials, Office representatives, energy companies, and DSNZ. The agenda was diverse. This includes restoring damaged facilities, protecting generation capacity, and ensuring people's access to electricity.

We separately analyzed the state of nuclear and hydroelectric power. Accordingly — the situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the Kakhovska Hydroelectric Station.

Russian terrorists have created such difficult conditions for our energy workers that no one in Europe has ever seen or encountered before. There were no such threats that our specialists are now forced to deal with. And they face them with honor.

I thank all the employees of the energy sector, our rescuers, repair crews, local self-government representatives, and private companies working effectively enough to maintain stability in our power system despite all threats.

In many cities and regions of Ukraine, emergency electricity outages are taking place, and it is necessary to limit consumption. But we must remember one thing: we need a victory over Russia in the energy sector as well.

No matter what the enemy does, our task is to disrupt his plans and protect Ukraine. And this is not just someone's task; it concerns not only energy workers or anyone else. Now everyone needs to consume electricity consciously. Please choose your own scheme of electricity consumption restriction while there is a deficit in the general power system.

The situation on the front lines has not undergone significant changes. The fiercest battles are taking place in Donetsk: the Bakhmut direction, Avdiivka. There, now most clearly visible is the brilliance of Russian command: day after day for months they send people to death there, concentrating maximum artillery power there. All our soldiers holding positions on these directions in Donetsk are simply heroes.

Active actions continue on other fronts as well. I would like to highlight today the fighters of the 25th Airborne Brigade for their bravery in liberating occupied territories in Luhansk.

Overall, we are strengthening our positions everywhere on the front line, reducing the enemy's opportunities, destroying his logistics and preparing good news for Ukraine.

Today air raid alerts were several times across a large part of our country. There are results from Air Forces — another Russian helicopter was shot down, more drones destroyed.

By the way, the total number of shot-down Russian rotary-wing aircraft is approaching 250 already. The Russians have lost so much equipment — aviation and other — that most armies in the world simply do not have and will never have on their armaments. Restoring these losses will be impossible for Russia. I thank all our fighters for this gradual and irreversible demilitarization of the enemy.

We continue to do everything possible to free our people from Russian captivity. Today we can finally announce the release of another ten Ukrainians. Our team working on exchanges is working non-stop.

And I would like to emphasize once again that accelerating exchanges can be done by any of our units at the front line through capturing enemy soldiers. The more Russian military personnel in our exchange fund, the faster we will bring Ukrainians home from Russia.

Today President of Guinea-Bissau visited Kyiv. He is also the head of the Economic Community of West African States. In fact, he represents 15 African countries that are part of this community. And he is the first African leader to visit our country since February 24.

Overall, we are systematically expanding our contacts with Africa and filling them with new content. Many negotiations and agreements are taking place for the first time in our history. It is very important that on this continent, where the Kremlin's influence traditionally matters a lot, they hear Ukraine's position and know the full truth about what is really happening. We ensure this.

Every day we work to protect our grain export initiative as well. Clearly, Russia again intends to exacerbate the global food crisis, once again posing the threat of a large-scale famine. And this, in particular, is the responsibility of all our partners — after all, they must ensure food security and put an end to this dirty Russian game with hunger.

Today, through deliberate Russian obstruction of our food exports, the number of ships waiting for the opportunity to fulfill contractual obligations has already reached 175. And this is not just some trade problem. This is a worsening access to food for millions of people and a threat of even greater price increases on basic products — in Africa, Asia, Europe. If Russia manages to achieve the negative scenario, it will end with a new large-scale migration crisis.

Russia as a state-terrorist is a terrorist in everything and deserves daily intensification of international pressure on it.

I am grateful to those leaders and politicians who understand this and ensure it. I am especially grateful to the Polish Senate, which adopted a resolution officially recognizing Russia as a sponsor of terrorism. And such decisions should be made by most countries in the world — Russia itself leaves no alternative with its actions.

I thank everyone who helps us fight Russian terror!

Glory to all those who fight and work for Ukraine's freedom!

Glory to Ukraine!»