President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about efforts to free our people from Russian captivity and the consequences of Russia's criminal mobilization.

"Ukrainians! Ukrainian women!

We have great news today. Mariya Mamontova, a military doctor who defended Azovstal, has given birth to a baby girl after being freed from Russian captivity. I sincerely congratulate Mariya and wish her daughter nothing but the best — peace and victory.

This is yet another proof that life always triumphs over any evil. And it's no exception to this rule under the Russian flag.

Right now, all our state structures needed are fully working on helping our freed soldiers. Medical help, social support, legal assistance... Treatment, rehabilitation, document restoration, bank cards, housing and more.

Rustem Umeyrov, at my request, visited today in Turkey the commanders of Azovstal. He checked the conditions they are living in — comfortable conditions. The guys have everything they need. Rustem is overseeing this. Soon we will arrange a meeting for them with their families and loved ones.

This week, on Tuesday, I will have a clear plan regarding each of those freed — how their normal life will be restored. As with the process of freeing our heroes from captivity, this normalization process is overseen by Andriy Yermak, head of Office. He also receives assistance from the head of GUR MOD Kiril Budanov, as well as our ombudsman, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Security Service of Ukraine and others.

I want to emphasize that work continues on further exchanges. No matter how difficult it may be, we must free all our people, all Ukrainians. We do not forget anyone.

But still remember: this is not easy, it requires the efforts of many people and is directly related to the situation at the front line. Our active actions — including increasing those who can be exchanged. The more Russian soldiers are captured by Ukrainian forces, the faster we will free our soldiers, our heroes from Russian captivity.

Severe combat operations are taking place on many sections of the frontline totaling over 2000 kilometers. This is Donetsk, this is our Kharkiv region, Kherson region, as well as Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia regions. We have positive results on several fronts.

And whatever happens in Russia this week, whatever steps the state-terrorist plans politically or militarily — our country's task, Ukraine's mission cannot change: we are fighting for life and freedom for all Ukrainians.

This week will see a new wave of diplomatic activity. New appeals from me to political, business, and student communities abroad. Everywhere in the world, absolutely everywhere, our needs, positions, and views on how to stop Russian evil will be heard.

We will put special emphasis on this. Emphasis on the fact that criminal mobilization is not only used by Russia to prolong suffering in Ukraine and further destabilize the world but also to physically destroy men — representatives of indigenous peoples living on territories temporarily controlled by the Russian Federation.

A catastrophic situation in occupied Crimea. Information about the Crimean Tatar people, most mobilization notices are there for krymchaks. This is another element of Russia's genocidal policy, yet another reason for an immediate and harsh reaction from the entire world.

The same thing is happening on Russian territory itself. It's a calculated imperial policy. A blow to peoples such as those in Dagestan — and all over the Caucasus, indigenous peoples of Siberia and other territories.

And I want to repeat once again. Again in Russian, specifically for Russian "comrades."

This is not some collection of nations in Russia, not badges or flags somewhere on a map, no. These are not stickers — these are living people. And only now you start hearing this, and even then not everywhere.

We see that people, particularly in Dagestan, have started fighting for their lives. We see that they begin to understand that it's about their life. Why should their husbands, brothers, sons die in this war? A war wanted by one person. A war against our people on our land. He doesn't send his own children into battle.

Fight so as not to send your children to death — everyone who can be taken under this criminal Russian mobilization. Because if you come to take the lives of our children, I will tell you as a father — we won't let you go alive.

Once again, I want to emphasize: there is an exit. Do not submit to criminal mobilization. Run away or surrender to Ukrainian captivity at the first opportunity. Please ask all our friends in the information sphere to spread this call. The more citizens of the Russian Federation try to protect their own lives, the sooner this criminal war by Russia against the people of Ukraine will end.

I thank everyone who is fighting and working for our victory! Ahead — a difficult week. A difficult path. Difficult challenges. But ahead — our victory. And it will definitely come.

Tonight, I want to greet the Ukrainian Jewish community and all Jews around the world on Rosh Hashanah. May all prayers for victory, all prayers for peace in Ukraine be heard.

We defend Ukraine!

We defend life!

Glory to Ukraine!"