President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about unprecedented Russian terror on our country's territory and about the energy supply problems in eastern regions.

"Ukrainians!

Ukrainian women!

And all Europeans!

Everyone around the world who believes that there should be no place for terror on Earth.

Why is the largest source of terror in the world — Russia — still able to wage this war? And why can it do so brutally and cynically? Only one reason — insufficient pressure on Russia. Insufficient reaction to the terror of this state.

Just look at what Russia allows itself. No other terrorist has ever done this in history — all of these things simultaneously.

Radiation terror at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Six reactor units! The mere presence of Russian troops on the station, constant provocations and shelling of the station's territory put Ukraine and all of Europe on the brink of a radiation catastrophe.

Energy terror. Citizens in many countries around the world suffer from painful increases in energy prices — electricity and heat. Russia is doing this deliberately. Deliberately destabilizing the European gas market. Deliberately limiting our ability to export electricity to Europe with its strikes. Exports of electricity from Ukraine could alleviate the energy crisis in Europe just as much as exports of our food have alleviated a global food crisis.

Terror by hunger — this is an extremely cynical and absolutely calculated tactic of Russia. And it is aimed not only at poor countries, but specifically at those regions of the world from which Europe could see new waves of refugees. A severe migration crisis in Europe — that's the calculation of a state-sponsor of terror.

Fortunately, we managed together with partners, together with the UN and Turkey to achieve an export grain initiative. Russia was forced to unblock our ports. But now it is threatening another blockade.

And how does the world react? There's still no official recognition of Russia as a sponsor of terrorism. Citizens of the state-sponsor of terror can travel to Europe for rest and shopping, can receive European visas, and nobody knows if among them are killers or kidnappers who just returned from occupied Ukrainian territory. Russian propagandists can continue working in those African, Asian, Latin American, and European countries that face the greatest chaos due to price and energy crises created by Russia. We still have to ask for help protecting our skies from Russian missiles — after 200 days of full-scale war!

Yesterday and today, the Russian army struck Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians found themselves in darkness — without electricity. Houses, hospitals, schools, communal infrastructure... Russian missiles hit exactly those objects that have no relation whatsoever to our military infrastructure.

On one hand, this is a sign of desperation on the part of those who started this war. This is how they react to the rout of Russian forces in Kharkiv Oblast. They can't do anything with our heroes on the battlefield, so Russia directs its cowardly strikes against civilian infrastructure.

On the other hand, Russia is trying to prevent us from directing Ukraine's potential to stabilize the situation in Europe. Our electricity export — this is what Russia fears now. Because we can break Russian plans to impoverish Europeans this winter through skyrocketing energy prices.

We need to strengthen our cooperation to overcome Russian terror. Recognize Russia as a state-sponsor of terrorism. Strengthen sanctions — an eighth package of EU sanctions is needed. Increase aid to Ukraine — and above all, speed up the delivery of air defense systems.

I thank everyone who fought the consequences of Russian missile strikes on energy facilities. Hundreds of settlements in several regions of Ukraine were de-energized due to these strikes.

At the recommendation of the Minister of Internal Affairs, I would like to especially highlight today the contribution of Colonel of Civil Defense Alexander Volobuev, Lieutenant Colonel of Civil Defense Oleksandr Myslavskyi, Senior Lieutenant of Civil Defense Vitaliy Dyabok, Sergeant of Civil Defense Dmytro Kostenko and firefighter, Sergeant Oleksandr Hulak. Thank you! Thank you to your colleagues!

The energy supply of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Poltava Oblast, Sumy Oblast, Kharkiv Oblast, and the city of Kharkiv has been restored. But today — new strikes on energy facilities. New blackouts in Kharkiv. And we must be aware that the cowardice of Russian terrorists knows no bounds — they will try to make this form of terror systematic.

At my request, the Prime Minister of Ukraine held a meeting today with the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Regional Development, the Ministry of Finance, and Naftogaz. A coordination headquarters for rapid response to all such manifestations of Russian terror will be formed. Funds will also be allocated for restoring damaged facilities and helping de-occupied territories.

From early September until today, our soldiers have already liberated more than 6 thousand square kilometers of Ukrainian territory — in the east and south. The advance of our troops continues.

I thank the 57th Separate Mechanized Brigade for regrouping after fierce battles on the eastern front and advancing confidently and resolutely towards the South.

Thank you to the 59th Separate Mechanized Brigade for its relentless advance despite everything — despite open terrain, despite enemy artillery.

I thank the fighters of the 128th Separate Mountain-Storm Brigade for liberating several populated areas and very effective actions in neutralizing enemy activity. Boys, you are real heroes!

Today I would like to especially thank our air defense forces. Yesterday we all saw the consequences of Russian strikes. But at the same time, most of the terrorists' missiles were shot down. Nine out of twelve missiles were intercepted. Seven rockets were shot down by soldiers of the 138th Dnipro ZRBR and two rockets were shot down by defenders of the sky from the 96th Kyiv ZRBR. Thank you to our defenders, our defenders!

I thank everyone who fights for Ukraine!

I thank everyone ready to fight against Russian terror in earnest!

Every day we are getting closer to victory.

Glory to Ukraine!"