The Minister of Defense of Ukraine addressed the Ukrainians and the AFU.
"Dear Ukrainians!
196 hours of defense.
We have been fighting back against the Russian occupiers for the second week.
In these hours and days the situation is breaking down.
Fracture time requires concentration, special concentration.
Our defenders and defenders have stopped the enemy in most directions. In some areas the Armed Forces have carried out a successful counteroffensive.
There remains a difficult situation in the south, where the enemy shelled Zaporizhzhia NPP in the last hours. But the fighting spirit of the people in the Cossack region is such that the invaders are doomed to defeat.
Kharkov is an insurmountable fortress. The whole of Ukraine is painfully watching the shelling. But now the whole of Europe knows that Kharkov is not only an intellectual and industrial center, but also a proud city of brave citizens.
The Sumy Region and Chernigov Region are fighting. They save Kiev from the siege. As long as the governance of the country and the army is not broken - the enemy has no chance.
In the east and south - everywhere - the Ukrainian people fight back against the enemy and bring victory closer.
At the end of eight days the losses of the Russian army exceeded 10,000 killed and wounded. The destruction of at least one Russian general has been confirmed. Russian society is beginning to feel and understand these losses.
The destroyed Russian armored vehicles are no longer measured in units, but in battalions and brigades.
The Armed Forces have received almost more tanks and armored vehicles as trophies than the Ukrainian military-industrial complex has received in the last 8 years.
Our defenders captured several vehicles with shells in MLRS, which Russian war criminals use to shell our peaceful cities.All these shells will be returned to the enemy.
We, too, are suffering casualties. War is a great sorrow. Almost every hour there is news that Russian Kafirs have killed civilians again. The blood boils with rage when our children are killed.
There are casualties among our warriors. They beat like cyborgs, but there is a living heart in their chests. Each of them will be honored as a hero.
People are the most precious thing to us. This is what sets Ukraine apart from Russia. I very much hope that the Russian side will fulfill its commitment to create humanitarian corridors.
A lot of difficult decisions have been made these days. We had to maneuver to save the army. But we will get all of our land back.
We are painfully looking at the destroyed structures after the Russian shelling. We will rebuild everything.
The commander of the flagship of the Ukrainian Navy carried out the order to sink the ship so that the frigate "Hetman Sagaidachny", which was under repair, would not go to the enemy. It is hard to imagine a more difficult decision for a courageous warrior and crew. But we will build a new fleet. Modern and powerful.
The main thing now is to hold out.
I understand perfectly. Everyone is tired, many are exhausted, shocked by the losses. There's a very difficult period ahead. We will need a lot of strength and stamina.
But I want to tell everyone. Ukrainians - you are incredible!
The enemy is bewildered and frightened. We have not yet defeated him. But that time is inevitably coming.
The Kremlin rats are already trembling. Some are actively looking for a way to escape.
The whole of Ukraine is successfully rebuilding for a life of defense. Aid is coming in industrial quantities, this work is already in place.
We will protect our country and leave it for the next generation to flourish, successful, better than it was.Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes of Ukraine!", - stressed the Minister of Defense.
