The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said in a video address on 3 March that due to the courageous resistance of the Ukrainians, the occupiers were forced to change tactics. Russia's missile and bomb strikes on Ukrainian cities mean that they have failed to do anything significant on land. All lines of our defence are preserved.
"The enemy has no success in any of the strategic areas. They are oppressed. They are doomed. Kyiv withstood another night and another missile and bomb attack. Our air defences worked." The president stressed the other cities, such as Kherson and Izyum, which the occupiers have struck from the air, have given nothing away to the occupiers.
Chernihiv, Sumy, Mykolaiv keep defence. The enemy wants to destroy Odesa, but they will see only the bottom of the Black Sea.
"Russia has targeted the Dormition Cathedral in Kharkiv, one of the oldest Orthodox monuments in the city. During the war, the cathedral is a shelter for Kharkiv residents, both believers and non-believers, a Holy place. Now it is beaten by the war. The occupiers are not afraid of even that! They use the moment when God does not give an instant rebuff, but he sees and answers. He answers in such a way that you will not hide. There is no bunker to survive God's answer. Be certain that we will restore the cathedral so that there is no trace of the war left there. Even if you destroy all our cathedrals and churches, you will not destroy our sincere faith - faith in God, faith in Ukraine and belief in people. We will restore every house, every street, every city. Now we address Russia: learn the word "reparations" by heart. You will pay for everything that has been done against Ukraine in full. What is more, we will not forget those who have died," the head of state said.
Zelenskyy reminded us that the enemy came to destroy our cities, destroy people, and take away everything dear to us. People are left without food and medicine as the Russians cut off electricity, water and heating to civilians. Evacuation routes are being shot.
"There is no weapon that you would not use against Ukrainians. And now you go out and tell your propagandists that you will send so-called humanitarian columns to Ukraine. Remember, atheists: when millions of people curse you, you have nothing to escape," he addressed his enemies.
Zelenskyy assured that Ukrainians in all the regions burned by the war would get everything they needed.