"Wise people of a strong country!"

The 17th day of the war has ended. A war for the right to be free. To live on our land as we, Ukrainians, want to. Not as it was designed for us and against us. Against our nature. Against our character.

Russian occupiers cannot subdue us. They do not have such strength. Such spirit. They hold on only through violence. Only through terror. Only through weapons, of which they have plenty. But the occupants have no natural basis for normal life. For people to feel happiness and dream. They are organically incapable of making life normal! Everywhere Russia goes on foreign soil, dreams become impossible.

Only a very hard struggle for survival.

As a result of the attack on our land, Ukraine, Russian leadership is actually transforming their state into an analog of so-called "DNR" and "LNR". A large isolated zone from the rest of the world. Where poverty will reign. Where everything will be determined only by violence. And where people will flee as soon as they can. Whoever can.

Look now at who is leaving Russia. Who is pulling their business out. These are professionals who can make a living on the global market. These are IT specialists who do not want to live in territory with no freedoms whatsoever. These are businessmen who feel that everything will be taken from them when they simply want it to be. These are artists who know that creativity in a territory where human life is worth nothing, is also worth nothing.

Russia is losing its best people. Its talents. Its money.

But if this is happening with Russia, what awaits the so-called "DNR" and "LNR"? Their analogs? Only complete degradation.

Occupants in the territory of Kherson Oblast are trying to repeat the sad experience of forming pseudo-republics. They threaten local leaders, pressure deputies. Look for who they can bribe to organize a so-called "KhNR". Such a lifeless entity as "DNR" and "LNR". To organize some committees against legitimate power on our land. And in defiance of people's will, who protest daily. Who want Ukraine. I am grateful to them.

I want to say to some activists and activist women who did not have the gall to refuse talks with occupiers... I want to say: if anyone among them suddenly succumbs to offers from the occupiers... You are signing your own death sentence.

The sentence is to follow over 12 thousand occupants who could not understand in time why Ukraine should not be attacked.

An emergency session of the Kherson Oblast Council took place. 44 deputies adopted a resolution that Kherson region belongs to Ukraine, and no pseudo-republics have any place there.

Ukraine will stand up to this test. We need time, we need strength to break the military machine that came onto our land.

I won't underestimate the threat. And I won't exaggerate achievements. We are honest people, not Russia's Ministry of Defense which lies to everyone — millions of its citizens and even to the leader of the Russian Federation. So I say openly: we still need to hold on. Still need to fight. Every day and every night looking for ways to inflict maximum damage on the enemy. On all fronts of defense. Near Zhitomir and Kyiv, near Chernihiv and Sumy, near Kharkiv and Luhansk, Donetsk and Mariupol, in the south of our country and on the diplomatic front of our state.

Having such a strategy and confidence in our strength, we will come to our own.

We will come to Melitopol and Genichesk. Everywhere where our land is. And let occupiers know, let all collaborators they find know that Ukraine will not forgive them. No one. Nothing.

Ukraine will not forget. Ukraine will find and hold accountable everyone. As much as possible.

All humanitarian corridors, by the way, which were agreed upon — they worked. It was managed to evacuate 12,729 people. Humanitarian aid for Mariupol is supposed to be delivered tomorrow. Due to route complexity, it had to spend a night in Berdyansk.

Constantly — at every opportunity — I repeat to our friends and partners abroad what they should do more for our state. For Ukrainians. Because this is not just about Ukraine. This is for all of Europe.

Evil that deliberately bombs peaceful cities... Evil that shoots at even ambulances and blows up hospitals cannot stop at one country if it has the strength to go further.

I said this at a very important action in support of our people, which was organized in Europe. Over 100 thousand people gathered on squares in Italy and other continental countries for a rally for us, for Ukraine, and against Russian aggression.

Millions of people heard my appeal afterwards thanks to broadcasts and recordings.

We now have the greatest support from around the world in our history for our aspirations and independence.

You can take a public opinion poll in any country, and you will see that Ukraine is among the leaders of those who are sympathized with and supported.

And Russia — not just an enemy. But even a greater enemy, more evil than North Korea. This is how Americans think, for example, ordinary people in all states. And ordinary people in all European countries.

And I am grateful to them for this extraordinary support. Grateful for understanding our struggle. Because we are united by one dream — to live freely on our land. And have the right to what everyone has in a free world, — safe skies as well as our own land.

Dear Ukrainians! Dear Ukrainian women!

Our heroes!

The world always loves those who fight against evil.

It is our resistance, the bravery of all our people that inspired the world. Millions of people in different countries. Who could not have felt just 17 days ago what they had in common with each other. With us all. And now it's clear: peace, freedom, love for their children. Children, for whom we fight so they will have a future.

I signed two important decrees.

Awarding state honors to 106 members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces who bravely distinguished themselves in battles for Ukraine's independence. 17 of them, unfortunately — posthumously. But they are heroes.

And a decree awarding the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order "Golden Star":

Senior Sergeant Vasichu Serhiy Viktorovich. Posthumously. Bravely defended our positions in Kyiv Oblast. Destroyed enemy equipment and inflicted significant losses on enemy personnel.

Senior Soldier Parhomyk Vitaliy Vasylovych. Posthumously. During a counter-offensive near the city of Makariv, he inflicted heavy losses on the enemy and heroically died defending his comrades-in-arms.

Soldier Mrochok Kostyantyn Vasylovych. Posthumously. Bravely fought against numerically superior enemy forces. Thanks to his effective actions, occupiers suffered painful losses.

Soldier Svinchuik Oleh Anatoliyovych. Posthumously. Heroically fulfilled his duty in battle against numerically superior enemy forces. Until the end he helped his fellow soldiers.

Senior Sergeant Kaniun Andrii Pavlovych. Posthumously. Defending Volnovakha, Donetsk Oblast, destroyed an enemy tank and about 10 enemy personnel. During battle, after being wounded, he helped injured fellow soldiers until the end.

Senior Sergeant Deryusova Inna Mykolayivna. Posthumously. Since February 24th, a senior medical officer fulfilled her duty in Ohtyrka, Sumy Oblast. She saved over 10 servicemen risking her own life. Died from Russian artillery shelling while providing aid to injured military personnel. The first woman — Hero of Ukraine — who was posthumously awarded this title.

Eternal glory to all who gave their lives for Ukraine!

Awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine with the awarding of the Order "Golden Star":

Senior Lieutenant Hutsul Volodymyr Oleksandrovych. Thanks to his heroic actions in Kherson Oblast, it was possible to destroy 25 units of enemy equipment and about 300 occupiers.

Senior Lieutenant Chornyi Volodymyr Volodimirovych. Thanks to his skillful actions in the defense of Volnovakha, Donetsk Oblast, nearly 50 enemy personnel were destroyed, a T-72 tank was destroyed and five occupiers were taken prisoner.

Glory to all heroes!

Glory to Ukraine!">