Day 1707 of the war. Address of Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Ukrainians

Dear Ukrainians! Today there was a report by Mykhailo Trapatov, Ihor Belenskyi, and Pavlo Balisse. About another of our active operations – operation "Veles", which "Khartia" is conducting in the Kupyansk direction. In my view, it is a strong operation, well-thought-out, technological. The Russians tried to use underground gas pipes to advance past our positions. Our warriors turned this tactic against the Russians and extremely successfully used this system of underground communications against the occupiers. In fact, this is our third landmark operation this year.

The first operation – cheap, very significant, more than 800 square kilometers were liberated. Our second operation is the operation in Ivaldi, in the Donetsk region. Our operation was in exactly those areas where the Russians had many ambitions, many plans, and many assaults. The guys liberated more than 200 kilometers.

The third operation is "Veles" by "Khartia", which strengthens our positions and demonstrates to the Russians that even near Kupyansk they do not have the result defined for them by their political leadership. I want to thank all our warriors. It is important to note that this year Ukraine's positions on the front remain the strongest for a long time in this war.

If the support of partners for Ukraine remained equally strong, specifically regarding our Patriots and other air defense means, then Ukraine would be in a completely different position and diplomatically in a much better position. Unfortunately, there are very significant restrictions in supply and they are delayed, these air defense packages.

I want to thank all our partners who do not provide their support on time, but unfortunately, there are delays. And everyone hears, and everyone sees, that it is currently difficult for us to defend against Russian ballistics. And there is a shortage, first and foremost, of missiles for the Patriots.

And only now, in October, since October 14, there have already been several Russian ballistic attacks. In fact, in two weeks, over 100 ballistic missiles against Kyiv and the Kyiv region. We are doing everything possible to preserve our energy sector, to preserve our infrastructure, our logistics.

And the task is very difficult. Unfortunately, there are also casualties. Yesterday, Russian missiles hit the territory of the Trade and Economic University in Kyiv, the campus, the nearby park, the park named Kyoto, in honor of the city of Kyoto, a twin city of Kyiv. Buildings, a station, and metro lines were damaged. The Russians hit the South Bridge in Kyiv, one of the important, very important logistical arteries. And this escalation of theirs against our logistics, against life in the cities, has been continuing for more than a week.

Against Kyiv, against our Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kharkiv, against Sumy, against Kherson. It is important that the world sees this, that our partners see this. In the United States HMR, from which almost everything regarding the Patriots depends. So that there are answers, so that there are appropriate permissions from the Pentagon for the supply of Patriots. And also regarding our partners in Europe, these days we are trying to do everything possible so that there are new support packages.

And coordination with partners also continues, so that there is diplomacy, so that there are meetings. A meeting as soon as possible. For November, we expect a trilateral format: Ukrainian, American, and Russian representatives. It is important that there is also European participation in all diplomatic movements. Ukraine always insists that Europe must be present, must be a participant in decisions. And this applies to everyone, everyone in Europe. So that no one is left on the sidelines of the processes, I want to thank everyone who is active, who helps us.

In the coming weeks, there will be our new communications with strong European countries. And today I spoke with our partners, with the leaders of Norway and Finland after their conversation with Putin. We will be in communication with the American side. Life must be protected. Peace must be brought closer. Policy towards Russia must be formed in such a way that they develop an interest in de-escalation steps. There is no peace without pressure. Peace does not come without strength.

I want to thank all those who work for Ukrainian strength, who fight for the Rada of Ukraine, fight in such a way that Ukrainian strength inspires the world. Glory to Ukraine!