Today is 200 days of our resistance, struggle, and patriotic war. The war for freedom, independence, and the right to exist In these 200 days, we have managed a lot, but the most important and difficult is yet ahead. And I want to dedicate this appeal to those who are ahead. And who is most difficult now, because they are doing the most important things.
These are all defenders and defenders of Ukraine. All those who bravely stand for 200 days, and therefore Ukraine stands. We are strong, and therefore we are free. We are unbreakable, and therefore we are independent. Our fighters heroically restrained the enemy and now drive the occupier in the north, south and East. In all directions, but moving only in one direction – forward and to victory", said Volodymyr Zelensky.
He listed all types of troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, thanked each unit separately and also mentioned the military chaplains: "these are military clergy, chaplains who pray for the lives of our soldiers."
"I thank all our soldiers, defenders, best sons and daughters of Ukraine who are liberating its north, south and East today... Who broke the enemy's plans because he did not break himself. All those who held the defense and defended Kyiv. Who preserved our capital and therefore preserved our faith in our victory. All those who strengthened and multiplied it, defending Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Odessa, Zaporizhia, and Dnipro. All those who defended Mariupol and Azovstal. Who liberated Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv, and Sumy Regions. The cities of Bucha, Irpin, Borodyanka, Vorzel, Gostomel, Makariv, Okhtyrka, and Sumy. And now – Balakliya, Izyum, Kupyansk.
All those who have liberated are liberating and will liberate all the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The Ukrainian flag will also bring life to Kherson, Berdyansk, Melitopol, Luhansk, Horlivka, Yenakiieve, Mariupol and Donetsk, Yalta, Dzhankoy, Kerch, Yevpatoria, Simferopol. Who yielded 200% throughout all these 200 days," Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The President stressed: "The enemy is panicked. Ukraine is proud of you, believes in you, is praying for you and waiting for you. We are sure that you can do it. You will reach our border, all its sections. You will see our lines and enemy backs. You will see how the eyes of our people and the invaders are taking to their heels. They will call it "goodwill gestures." We'll call it a victory... We are writing history in real life. The history of independence. The history of victory. The history of Ukraine. Our warriors, our fighters, our defenders are doing this. For us, they are definitely the first Army in the world."