President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about the necessity of maintaining military secrecy and about support and understanding from our foreign partners.

"Ukrainians! Ukrainian women!

Today we honored the memory of our soldiers who gave their lives for our country, for our independence.

This day of remembrance is set on August 29 at the end of summer to remind everyone about the tragic events of the fourteenth year, about Ilovaisk, about how this war that began with Russia's occupation of our Crimea and their attempt to seize Donbas must end there — in a liberated Crimea, in liberated cities of Donbas, with our military forces reaching Ukraine’s state border.

We have always remembered our goal. We do not forget it.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine, our intelligence services, and our defense forces are doing their job. I am confident that you all understand what is happening, for what we are fighting, and what we desire. And our soldiers do not need any announcements or information waves from behind.

Ukraine is reclaiming its own. It will continue to do so. The Kharkiv region, Luhansk region, Donetsk region, Zaporizhzhia, the Kherson region, Crimea, and our entire maritime area of the Black Sea and Azov Sea, from Snake Island to Kerch Strait — this will be ours. This is ours. And just as our society understands this, I want the occupiers to understand it too. There will be no place for them on Ukrainian soil.

Some want to know what our plans are? You won't hear specifics from any truly responsible person. Because this is a war. And so — in wartime.

But the occupiers must know: we will drive them back to their border. To their own border, which has not changed. The occupiers know it well.

If they want to survive — Russian soldiers should start running home now. If you are afraid to return home to Russia — then such occupiers can surrender and we will guarantee them the full implementation of all Geneva Conventions norms.

If they do not heed me — they will face our defenders who will not stop until they liberate everything that belongs to Ukraine.

And this is nothing special. This is not something that just started. We have been talking about it for 187 days.

Today I held meetings with military personnel, representatives of the defense industry sector, and government officials. Important meetings, important topics — to announce them would be inappropriate. But results are seen by all in time. Everyone sees when our defenders destroy enemy logistics, bases, command centers. This will continue.

Today I made three appeals to foreign partners.

The first one — Norway. Participated in the work of an energy forum and would like to thank Prime Minister of Norway Mr. Støre for a new package of support for Ukraine — nearly 200 million dollars within winter energy preparation.

Second appeal — France. A powerful business union — hundreds of thousands of businessmen, millions of owners, managers and employees. Thankful to them for their support and understanding of what we are fighting for in Ukraine, that this fight is a common one for all Europeans.

Third appeal — to the participants of the security forum in Slovenia, especially our friends — leaders of Central European and Balkan countries.

In the evening I signed an order on awarding our soldiers. 141 participants of combat operations were honored with state awards, ten of them posthumously.

Very important — today I had the honor to present "Golden Star" orders to relatives and families of heroes who died while performing combat missions.

Eternal glory to all our heroes! Eternal glory to everyone fighting for freedom for all of our land!

Glory to Ukraine!"