President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, informing about the return of 50 Ukrainians from Russian captivity and the situation at the front after the first week of the year.

"I wish you good health, dear Ukrainians!

Today was the first release in this year of our soldiers from Russian captivity. 50 Ukrainians have returned home. 33 are officers, and 17 are enlisted men and sergeants. Among them are defenders of Kyiv region, Donetsk, Mariupol, southern Ukraine. Soldiers of the army, National Guard, territorial defense, navy, border guards.

Our team works without interruption to free Ukrainians and Ukrainian women. Today I want to thank them again. Budanov, Yermak, Maliuk, Ussov, Lubinec and others.

I especially thank our units that replenish the exchange fund. Every person captured by the enemy on our land gives an opportunity to free someone from Ukrainians.

I also want to highlight the success of our air forces. Since the beginning of this day, three fixed-wing aircraft and drones have been shot down as well. Well done, guys! Thank you for the continuous demilitarization of the state-aggressor.

The situation at the front during the first week of the year has not undergone significant changes. Intense battles are ongoing in Luhansk and Donetsk regions — every hot spot on these fronts is well known.

Bakhmut holds despite everything. And although most of the city was destroyed by Russian strikes, our soldiers repel constant attempts at Russian advances there. Solohir holds as well. Although it has even more destruction and is very difficult...

There isn't a single patch of land near these two cities where an occupant hasn't given their life for the bloody ideals of the rulers of the Russian regime. This is one of the bloodiest places on the front.

Today, the commander of the sector, General Syrskyi, inspected the troops defending approaches to Bakhmut and Solohir.

He awarded soldiers for their steadfastness. On-site he organized steps necessary to strengthen our defense. In particular — transferring additional units. And intensifying fire on occupiers.

It's important to understand that all of our positions, all of our actions in defense are interlinked, and the steadfastness and effectiveness of actions at every point on the front depend on the steadfastness and effectiveness of actions across the entire front.

I thank all of our defenders who act exactly like this, who realize that their personal steadfastness, strength, and effectiveness give strength to the whole country. We are defending the entire state wherever battles take place for it.

We are preparing for diplomatic actions planned for this week. We expect good news for our country, good decisions that will further strengthen our defense.

The world has seen again in recent days that Russia lies even when its own statements draw attention to the situation on the front. Russian shelling of Kherson with incendiary ammunition right after Christmas. Strikes on Kramatorsk and other cities in Donbas — precisely at civilian objects and exactly when Moscow reported a so-called "silence" from the army. Another round of threats by Russian officials to Europe and the world...

All this while Moscow was saying something about a so-called "truce."

No attempt by Russia to manipulate diplomacy and politics will ever work again.

Only strengthening of Ukraine, only successes of Ukraine, only restoration of territorial integrity of Ukraine, only return of all our people from captivity, from Russian slavery is the guarantee of restoring peace. We are approaching this.

Glory to all who fight and work for the victory of our state!

Glory to all who help our state!

Eternal glory to those who gave their lives for our country and its independence!

Glory to Ukraine!"