"Wishing health to all Ukrainians!

This morning in several regions and cities of our country was marred by the characteristic sound of Iranian «Shaheds». But fortunately, most of them did not reach their intended targets, making today's dawn a bit better. 30 «Shaheds» were shot down — that's quite an achievement.

I thank everyone involved in this result and for the defense of Ukrainian skies to all our anti-aircraft troops, pilots, mobile artillery units. Especially — to the 96th Kyiv Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade and the 208th Kherson Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, which demonstrated the highest accuracy today.

These «Shaheds», used by Russia, are from a new batch of drones. This is such a terrorist international of two regimes — helping to wage war against people.

Well, we will answer for this together.

This week will be quite active in terms of international events and negotiations. I held several meetings today regarding these plans. We will fight to strengthen sanctions against all acts of terrorism against Ukrainians and to obtain additional support for our country and its defense forces.

Today, I addressed the leaders of ten Northern European countries united in The Joint Expeditionary Force. This is a cooperation format initiated by Great Britain. It includes the Baltic states, Finland, Scandinavian countries, the Netherlands, Iceland, and the United Kingdom itself. And my appeal today was very specific. Weapons, ammunition, new defensive capabilities... All that will give us the ability to speed up the end of this war. I thank the summit participants for being heard today — we are waiting for new decisions regarding the supply of new weapons.

The key task for all of us now — my task, and that of each of our diplomats and officials — is to ensure that global support for Ukraine next year not only remains at this year's level but increases. Specifically in terms of indicators necessary to strengthen our defense operations.

This is artillery — we need more guns, ammunition, modern tanks which are yet to be supplied to Ukraine, long-range systems for massed fire, contemporary and truly effective air defense...

Please, if your opinion resonates in the media or you support the state in an expert capacity, you can also help obtain everything our defense forces need.

The main thing — to speak with one voice for Ukraine and protect our common interest: all for Ukraine's victory, all for helping our defense.

Bakhmut remains the hottest spot on the entire front line — over 1300 kilometers of active combat operations. Since May, occupiers have been trying to break through Bakhmut, but time is passing, and now it's not just the Russian army that is being broken, but also the mercenaries hired to replace the losses of the occupying forces.

Just think about this: Russia has already lost almost 99 thousand of its soldiers in Ukraine. In a few days, it will be 100 thousand losses for the occupiers. For what? No one in Moscow can answer that question. And no one ever will.

They are waging war and wasting lives — other people's lives, not their own close ones, not their own lives, but others' — simply because some clique in the Kremlin cannot admit mistakes and is terribly afraid of reality. But reality speaks for itself.

I thank all our fighters who heroically hold the Bakhmut direction, Solodar, Avdiivka, Mariinka, Krymnyk direction, and the entire Donbas — a region that before Russia's arrival was one of the strongest in Ukraine and which Russia is destroying to ashes... Even such cruelty from the enemy will not yield anything.

Today more people have been disconnected from electricity than yesterday. Due to drone strikes this morning.

But repair crews, as always, are working very actively around the clock. They are trying to restore power supply as quickly as possible at least to the level that can be generated. This will be done.

And one more thing — especially important.

Today is St. Nicholas Day — a traditional day when we all wish for peace and warmth, reliable protection and victory.

I believe that Nicholas hears us.

Today, on St. Nicholas Day, the project of "Ukrzaliznytsia" and UNICEF started — a joint project that can bring Christmas to Ukrainian children. Those who live near the front line and in de-occupied areas. Special holiday trains along three routes. Today — Donetsk region. On December 21, such a holiday train will depart for Kharkiv region, on the 23rd — for Mykolaiv and Kherson regions. They are bringing holiday exhibitions and over 30 thousand gifts.

Thank you to everyone at "Ukrzaliznytsia", UNICEF, in government who organized this project.

I want to thank UNICEF separately for more than $100 million in support for Ukrainian families. More than 120 thousand families, including those raising four or more children and children with disabilities, can receive financial assistance.

Overall, the program will reach over 600 thousand Ukrainians. Thank you for this support!

Thank you to everyone who is helping our people in these terrible times! Thank you to all those who protect Ukrainians!

And now I would like to address all of our friends and simply decent people in Georgia.

Of course, everyone could see the condition that Mikhail Saakashvili is in right now, his health. So I am addressing the Georgian people and the government — show mercy, especially during this pre-Christmas time. What is happening to Mikhail now is torture. This does not befit Georgia. It must stop.

Please, make a decision that can save his life. Transfer Mikhail Saakashvili to one of Ukraine's clinics or another European country, America.

It is time to take this good step.

Glory to Ukraine!"