Day 1678 of the war. Address of Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Ukrainians

Dear Ukrainians, throughout the day today there have been attacks by Shaheds. Many are jet-powered, already more than 120 drones, 90 of which are jet-powered. Unfortunately, there were hits; unfortunately, there are victims. As of this time, it is evident that 9 people died in various regions of ours. We empathize with the relatives and loved ones.

More than 80 people were injured. In Kyiv, a jet Shahed hit the building of the Academy of Sciences. There was a fire. One person is still being searched for under the rubble. The assistant of Volodymyr Harbulin was killed by this Shahed. He himself was injured and is now at home. Several floors, effectively the main office of the Academy of Sciences, were destroyed. Right opposite this building is the house of the Central Rada.

Nearby is the monument to Mykhailo Hrushevsky; another Russian strike that shows all the stupidity. The stupidity of the Russian war. In general, the stupidity of the Russian state.

A second jet drone hit a medical building in Kyiv. In Dnipro, there was a harsh strike on a business center. In Odesa, on an ordinary house. There were strikes in eastern Ukraine, in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions. One of the jet drones reached the border with Poland. The overall percentage of drones shot down today is 70%. This includes both ordinary and jet Shaheds, but unfortunately, fewer jet drones. Unfortunately, significantly fewer than needed. For now, that is the situation. 57%, and new interceptors are being actively tested.

There are some combat groups using them. But, of course, some details still need to be worked out so that there is sufficient effectiveness and sufficient scale. We are accelerating the developers. Every week there should be more results of specific shoot-downs on the interception lines.

Today I held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Ukraine and the diplomatic team regarding key priorities with partners for these weeks and for this situation. The Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office, our military, our negotiation group—clear tasks to secure the existing financial needs of Ukraine for defense. Everything we can do together with partners using partners' funds—this concerns, first and foremost, defense orders. They must be 100% fulfilled by the end of the year. Therefore, full funding is required. This must be ensured. Specific decisions and the direction of agreements with partners—all of this exists.

And the responsibility of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, and the Office team is to fully ensure everything we spoke about today. I count on effective support from parliamentarians. If government officials fulfill their part of the obligations by October 15 to ensure the necessary funding for Ukraine, then an equally clear schedule is needed from parliament.

The Government and our diplomats will be in full communication with parliamentarians.

Today there was also a report from the GUR on the measures that Russia plans next. Effectively, the Russians have already begun additional mobilization. They are increasing the number of people they recruit, using various methods. They plan to increase the involvement of foreigners. It is important that the governments of the countries from which Russia recruits people into its army oppose this. We will inform every government. We also have new data on the recruitment into Russia of military personnel from North Korea.

Currently, more than 8 thousand North Korean troops are on Russian territory. Additionally, the deployment of another 10 thousand is being prepared. They are being selected for training and further transfer to Russia. Russia pays for this, in particular with technologies. In exchange for such help and technical support for Russia on the territory of North Korea, the development of strike drones of the Shahed type. This is how evil spreads and how the threat to life in one part of the world spreads to other parts of the world.

This can only be overcome together. Today, many in the world spoke about this Russian terror, about this cooperation of Russia with everyone who can ensure even more killings. It must be countered. It has been a long time since there were effective global sanctions against Russia. The Magnitsky Act, as well as European Union sanctions and global sanctions, can ensure this. It is important that partners feel this. It is necessary to be with Ukrainians when such things happen.

It is necessary to help with specific packages and specific decisions so that Ukraine stands strong and helps in its time. I thank everyone who is with us, who is with Ukraine. I thank everyone who works so that Russia feels the consequences of this. Glory to Ukraine!