President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about work on establishing a base for arms production and repair in Ukraine and his meeting with a delegation from the American Atlantic Council.

"I wish health to all dear Ukrainians!

A brief report for today. It was quite an eventful day.

First – I thank our Air Forces and all defenders of the sky for repelling another night raid by Russian drones.

Again and again, I thank our soldiers for every downed 'Shahed', for every shot-down Russian missile. Because this always means saved lives, always saved infrastructure.

Second – unfortunately, there were hits, unfortunately, there were falling fragments with corresponding consequences, unfortunately, there were losses... My condolences!

It is extremely important to take the air raid warning seriously and not treat it lightly.

And I want everyone responsible for specific communities and territories to hear me now.

Shelters in cities must be accessible. People need to understand when and how the number and availability of shelters will increase.

This is the responsibility of specific officials, and it is a specific responsibility.

Third – we continue to consolidate partners so that Ukrainian air defense becomes maximally effective. Russian terror must lose every day and night, in every region of ours, in the sky over every Ukrainian city and village. When any attack by Russian terrorists ends in failure for them, their defeats will become a source of our security – long-term.

I spoke today with German Chancellor Scholz, among other things about air defense.

Thanked him for the air defense systems already provided to Ukraine, thus saving lives of our people. Discussed and generally the defensive situation, our security cooperation.

Ahead of important international events that will take place very soon, we are coming out with common positions, common decisions. And I thank Olaf, Mr Chancellor, for his personal resolve, which in many ways becomes the resolve of all Europe.

Fourth – spoke with representatives of powerful British defense company BAE Systems. This is truly a large-scale arms manufacturer – that kind of arms we need now and will continue to need for ensuring security of our state and entire region.

We are working on establishing an appropriate base in Ukraine for production and repair. It concerns a wide range of weapons: from tanks to artillery.

We will ensure Ukraine, thus the whole Europe, with such a new foundation of strength.

Fifth – met today with a delegation of one of the world's leading analytical centers, the American Atlantic Council. A good, useful conversation for protecting our shared values, for everyone in the world who values freedom.

Informed representatives of the Atlantic Council about our main defense needs as they stand now against the opposition. We discussed steps that are bringing us closer to creating a new aviation coalition. We are steadily approaching this result – obtaining modern weapons for our soldiers. And I thank everyone in the United States, every one and every woman in the political community who supports us, personally President Biden and both parties of Congress.

Right now, here in Ukraine, on our land, in our sky, freedom and civilization are deciding their global leadership for this century. It is decided by us together with America, together with Europe, together with all our allies and partners. Thank you to everyone around the world who helps!

And of course today, as always, I thank our soldiers. All those fighting now for Ukraine. On combat missions. At combat posts. Avdiivka direction, Bakhmut, Marinka, Shakhtarsk direction. Thank you all defending positions in Luhansk and Kharkiv regions. Thank you everyone who holds the strength of our border.

Our brigades that are fighting. Our brigades ready to move forward. And our reconnaissance forces. Our security services. On all fronts and at all levels, the enemy must feel that Ukraine is strengthening.

Glory to our heroes!

Glory to Ukraine!"