President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about active work with partners to strengthen our air defense and about a meeting of the General Staff.

"I wish health to all Ukrainians,

Firstly, I would like to highlight our defenders of the skies — during the rocket attack this morning, it was possible to shoot down a significant portion of Russian rockets. However, not all were intercepted. There were strikes in Kharkiv and also in Dnipropetrovsk region. All affected received necessary assistance. One person died. My condolences to relatives... We are working as actively as ever with partners to strengthen Ukraine's air defense. This work continues now — almost every week brings new agreements, new opportunities for Ukraine. This Russian regime repeats the evil it has already committed but tries each time to make the strike more painful. We understand this. And I thank everyone who defends Ukraine from 'shahids', who repels Russian rocket attacks, our intelligence and all partners who have already made decisions in support of Ukraine's air shield and who are making sanctions against a state-terrorist country such that they can limit it. And let Russia not doubt: all — from terrorists to propagandists of terror — will be held accountable. For every strike.

I chaired the General Staff meeting. As always, the Chief of Defense and commanders reported on the operational situation. Kupyansk, Lyman and all Donetsk directions, south. I thank everyone for their steadfastness and bravery. Our country's task — now in winter, however difficult it may be — is to demonstrate strength and not allow the enemy to seize the initiative or entrench themselves. I thank everyone whose actions ensure this possibility for Ukraine — our ability to make our moves. Today, I would like to especially highlight soldiers who have shown themselves most — both in these winter battles and last fall.

95th Independent Paratrooper Brigade — soldier Andriy Minasov. Thank you, soldier, for your effectiveness! 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade — soldier Ivan Kovalevich and senior soldier Vitaliy Lyubchik. I thank you, boys, for your accuracy! 68th Separate Jäger Brigade — junior sergeant Roman Petlyar. Thank you! 92nd Independent Assault Brigade — soldier Pavlo Kissya. Thank you for your bravery! 42nd Separate Mechanized Brigade — junior sergeant Maxim Ombish. I thank you for your courage and for saving the lives of comrades! 26th Separate Artillery Brigade — chief sergeant Oleksandr Fedorchuk. Thank you for destroying the occupier! 25th Independent Airborne Brigade — sergeant Andriy Zhuravlyov, reconnaissance specialist. Thank you! 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade — junior sergeants Yuri Svaytenko and Dmytro Semenik. You both destroyed an enemy sabotage group near Avdiivka plant, well done! 23rd Separate Mechanized Brigade — junior sergeant Roman Lutsenko. I thank you for your powerful combat results! 704th Radioactive, Biological and Chemical Defense Battalion — senior soldier Mariyan Porcyna. Thank you for your bravery, soldier, such bravery that has become a symbol of Ukrainian defense.

Today I spoke with the Prime Minister of Estonia — about maintaining support for Ukraine by partners in general, and also about specific things needed by our country and soldiers to achieve necessary results. I am grateful for understanding and help. Of course, we discussed issues of EU unity — primarily in the context of opening talks with Ukraine on joining the EU. Ukraine is fulfilling all obligations. We have already proven this multiple times. Today, incidentally, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted necessary laws according to EC recommendations in anti-corruption and national minorities rights areas. Venice Commission conclusions were taken into account — specifically regarding national communities. We expect that Ukraine's efforts will be properly evaluated by EU leaders, and corresponding European promises to Ukraine will be fulfilled. There were seven recommendations for us — we did everything expected of us for December.

And we continue our active foreign policy work to bring positive results for Ukraine both in defense, macrofinance, political and motivational strength. Everyone who defends freedom needs to feel they are not alone. The free world must be united. And for Ukraine to truly succeed, it must be a donor of unity. Every step of our foreign policy is aimed at this. In particular, today in Kyiv the first meeting of participants of our new international coalition on returning children deported to Russia from temporarily occupied territories took place. We are uniting states and international organizations, civil society leaders from different countries around the world, legal experts for the liberation of children and state. I thank everyone who has already joined this work, providing concrete legal results, including orders of the International Criminal Court against Russian officials, and, of course, all whose mediation and influence help return children home to Ukraine.

And one more thing.

Our intelligence and diplomats continue evacuation of Ukrainian citizens from Gaza. The whole day today is spent bringing our people to safe territory. Almost 40 more Ukrainians are in safety now. I thank the State Service of Special Communications and Information, our diplomats, and our friends in the region.

Glory to all who fight and work for Ukraine and Ukrainians! Glory to our powerful people!

Glory to Ukraine!"