President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about the situation with power outages and news around the grain corridor.

"I wish you good health, dear Ukrainians!

Today we managed to free from Russian captivity 52 people: 50 of our defenders and two civilians. Among them are National Guard soldiers, military-maritime forces personnel, border guards, territorial defense fighters…

Andriy Albov — head of the surgical department at a military hospital in Mariupol, he was evacuated from 'Azovstal'. Vasyl Chalenko — volunteer, territorial defender, commander of an intelligence platoon. 

Among these 52 are also a sailor from Zmiinyi Island and a National Guard member who was captured in the defense of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, as well as a pensioner from SBU who was taken captive by occupiers in Bucha.

We remember all those held in captivity in Russia and on occupied territory, and we will do everything to bring back each one. 

Our team dealing with exchanges works continuously. This includes Budanov, Yermak, Ussov, Lubinec, and others who help. In total since March, 1031 people have been freed from Russian captivity. Thank you to the entire team for this result!

I would like to once again highlight the work of our energy workers, repairmen, regional administrations. All those working day and night to restore normal technical capacity for electricity supply after Russian terrorist attacks.

Today there are significantly fewer stabilization and emergency outages — by an order of magnitude less. But there is still a need, and in some cities and regions restrictions may be possible. For example, this applies to the Kirovohrad region, as well as other areas.

We are doing everything we can to make power outages as predictable as possible so that people can plan their day.

Separately I thank those who worked and continue to work to restore electricity supply to the city of Uman and the Uman district in Cherkasy region. There was indeed a difficult situation after one of the Russian strikes. As of now, it is possible to restore technical capacity for supply.

The same applies to Kyiv region: the situation was critical but we are fixing it.

I want to emphasize: restoring only technical capacity does not mean that the energy deficit in the system has been overcome.

Russian terror continues. It is very cynical. Sometimes repeated strikes are deliberately carried out when repairs begin, or during restoration work. Sadly, we have casualties among repair crews and in energy companies. My condolences to their families.

Therefore please — this applies to all Ukrainians — it is very important to be mindful of electricity consumption. This necessity remains. Now everyone needs to make a contribution to support the stability of the entire power system.

Over the week — from Saturday to Saturday — more than 40 Iranian strike drones, a significant number of Russian missiles, six enemy attack helicopters, several of their aircraft… 

Such results mean hundreds of saved Ukrainian lives, dozens of critical infrastructure objects preserved. 

And at the suggestion of military command I would like to especially highlight today the Odesa and Kherson air defense missile brigades. Well done, boys! Thank you to all our defenders of the sky — absolutely everyone — all anti-aircraft personnel, pilots, mobile fire groups carrying out one of the most important strategic tasks now — saving the country from terrorist aerial attacks.

Today a rather predictable statement came from Russia — a statement about finally terminating the export grain initiative. But in fact this is not today's decision by them. Since September, Russia has been deliberately exacerbating the food crisis by blocking our ships carrying grain.

Since September and up to now, 176 vessels have accumulated in the grain corridor unable to proceed on their route. Some of these grain carriers have been waiting for over three weeks. This is an absolutely deliberate blockade by Russia. It's a clear intention by Russia to threaten large-scale famine for Africa and Asia.

Literally today more than 2 million tons of food are standing in the sea. This means that access to food has worsened significantly for over 7 million consumers.

Algeria, Egypt, Yemen, Bangladesh, Vietnam and others — very different countries from all parts of the world… But they are all equally at risk due to this Russian decision to block exports.

I emphasize: this decision was made by Russia as early as September. Only the current queue of ships with grain can testify to that.

It is also important that during the time of the grain initiative, Russia attacked our military-maritime forces twice. Exactly those forces which ensure security for the grain corridor.

Now a tough international response is needed. Both at the UN level and on other levels. Including at the G20 level. 

How can Russia be among others in the G20 if it deliberately works to cause famine across several continents? This makes no sense. There's no place for Russia in the 'twenty'.

All partners see this artificial queue of ships. See what Russia has done to terminate the grain initiative. See that even vessels with food contracted within UN World Food Programme for the poorest countries do not receive guaranteed passage by sea route.

Russia is doing everything it can to leave millions of Africans, millions of people in the Middle East and South Asia in conditions of artificial famine or at least a severe price crisis.

But why should some bunch of folks somewhere in the Kremlin be able to decide whether there will be food on tables in Egypt or Bangladesh? What is this? The world has the power to protect people from this.

Ukraine was and can continue to be one of the guarantors of global food security.

Russian terror and blackmail must lose. Humanity must win.

I thank everyone who fights alongside us for restoring peace and stability in international relations! I thank each and every person fighting and working for Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!"