President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about a conscious Russian war crime in Oleksandriya and about work to restore Ukrainian grain exports.

"Ukrainians and Ukrainian women!

All our defenders, defenderesses!

I am returning from the Odessa region. In particular, I met today with our heroes — soldiers of the Special Operations Forces.

I thanked them for their service, honored the best among them and emphasized that their main task is to ensure that the enemy has no peaceful moments on this land. The land should burn under their feet.

Every occupier who abuses Ukrainians, who tortures and kills must know that there will be a price for it. Even if some of Russia's killers hope they won't be held accountable, that they'll somehow hide, let them know — they will answer in any case. Geography, time, borders, walls cannot stop just retribution.

Today I heard reports about the attack by occupiers on Oleksandriya in Donetsk region. This was a conscious Russian war crime, a conscious mass murder of Ukrainian POWs. Over 50 dead...

When defenders of 'Azovstal' were leaving the plant, UN and International Committee of the Red Cross acted as guarantors for their lives and health. The Armed Forces of Ukraine, Security Service, Main Intelligence Directorate and an authorized representative of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine issued a joint statement to the UN and Red Cross as guarantors regarding defenders of 'Azovstal'. I support this statement. Guarantees must react now. They should protect the lives of hundreds of Ukrainian POWs.

And I add myself: there must be clear legal recognition of Russia as a state sponsoring terrorism. In particular, I address the United States — the decision is needed now.

Russia has proven by numerous acts of terror that it is the largest source of terrorism in the world today. This is a fact.

Ukrainian diplomacy brought information about the Russian attack on Oleksandriya to the highest international level. The UN Security Council was informed. All participants in international relations will know what actually happened. Russia will not deceive anyone.

The same goes for the international community being informed of all details of our resistance to Russian terror by hunger.

Today, work has begun in Odessa on restoring Ukrainian grain exports. This is important. Not only from the perspective of economic strength needed for us to withstand this war. It's also important so that the world can withstand the pressure of food crisis. The more Ukrainian grain there is on the global market, the more stable will be the situation in our partners and thus — more effective will be our joint resistance to a terrorist state. I emphasize: a terrorist.

I don't want to make any predictions now — let's see how agreements regarding grain exports are carried out. The UN, Turkey and other international partners are responsible for the security side of this process.

Everything necessary for protecting our coastline is being done by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

I want to say today one more thing. Russian terror is aimed primarily at breaking our internal strength. Russia can do nothing with us on the battlefield. Our defenders are very strong. We must be just as strong.

Our emotions, our collective will to fight must be strong until our victory. No matter what occupiers do, no matter how they try to break our spirit, we must hold together, mobilize and fully focus on what is needed for our victory.

If anyone among you feels that they cannot bear the evil they see, think about how personally you can help defend Ukraine.

Help the Armed Forces of Ukraine! Inform the world about Russian terror! And convince everyone you know in partner countries to increase aid to Ukraine.

We will definitely win. But we must get there together.

Eternal glory to all victims of Russian terror!

Eternal glory to everyone and every woman who destroys these occupiers!

Glory to Ukraine!"