President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about a key issue in the country today and about the international recognition of Ukrainian human rights defenders.

"I wish you good health, dear Ukrainians!

The key issue for today is energy. A very difficult situation in Odesa region. After a night attack by Iranian drones, Odesa and other cities and villages of the region are without power. As of now, over 1.5 million people in Odesia are without electricity. Only critical infrastructure has been reconnected — as much as possible given the supply of electricity.

In total, Russian terrorists used against Odesia 15 "Shaheds". Just one night on Saturday. This is Russia's true attitude towards Odesa and its residents — deliberate torment, a deliberate attempt to bring catastrophe to the city. Our air defenders managed to shoot down 10 drones out of 15. Well done!

Energy workers, repair crews, regional authorities — all are working non-stop to restore power. Unfortunately, the hits were critical, so it's not just a matter of time to restore electricity... It will take days, unfortunately, several days. We will do everything we can to speed up restoration.

Please, while repairs continue, help your acquaintances, neighbors, elderly people in Odesa find and use "Unbreakable Points". "Unbreakable Points" are open. There you can warm up, charge devices, use communication services, receive necessary and important support.

Overall, emergency and stabilization power outages continue in various regions.

The energy system is currently, to put it mildly, far from normal — there's a significant deficit in the system. That's why there are schedules of blackouts. The most severe — in Lviv, Vinnytsia, Kyiv, Ternopil, Sumy, Zakarpattya, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi regions and in the city of Kyiv.

It's important to understand that even if there are no massive missile strikes, it doesn't mean there are no problems. Almost every day there are shelling incidents, missile attacks, drone attacks in different regions. There are almost daily hits on energy objects. Due to losses in the system, limits have to be reduced for everyone in the system. Restoration is very difficult too. But still our energy workers and municipal employees do truly heroic things, restoring what would normally take months within weeks. And I thank every single one of them.

I also thank all those who are aware of how hard it is for our air defenders, repair crews, and especially the energy sector, how difficult it is for everyone protecting our lives with you.

Today we have important news from Norway. A new support package worth 100 million dollars has been announced by this country. And specifically for restoring our energy system after these Russian strikes. I thank the Norwegians for this decision, and the government as well. Overall, we are receiving military, economic, and very important political support from Norway, as well as significant humanitarian aid. Norway is also helping with gas procurement. We will work together on rebuilding Ukraine. Once again, I want to thank you.

Today in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony took place. This year, for the first time, Ukrainian was heard at the ceremony — thanks to the Center for Civil Liberties and its director Ms. Matviychuk, who became laureates of the peace prize. I congratulate Ms. Oleksandra, her colleagues, and all Ukrainian human rights defenders with this recognition.

Symbolically, that the ceremony is taking place on this day — International Human Rights Day. Until now, Ukraine did not have a national day of gratitude and respect for the human rights movement — those who dedicate their lives to protecting and restoring people's rights. Now such a day has been established and will be celebrated annually on December 10th — Human Rights Day.

The day before, I signed several important decrees. Among them — about the awarding of state scholarships.

And Mr. Edem Bekirov has been awarded a state scholarship in the name of Levko Lukyanenko. This is a special scholarship that supports those who were freed from occupation captivity and saved from Russian repression.

Other state scholarships have been awarded to prominent figures in our science, culture, and art. In total, 100 Ukrainians and Ukrainian women.

I thank everyone who works for the country!

Glory to every one of you who fights for Ukraine and thanks to whom we can live and work!

Eternal glory to all those who died for our freedom!

Glory to Ukraine!"