"It is necessary that international organizations immediately join the rescue of people in the occupied part of the Kherson region." Address of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi

08.06.2023 09:03

Photo by president.gov.ua

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the people, talking about the catastrophic situation in the occupied part of the Kherson region and the need for a clear and quick reaction of the world to what is happening.

"Dear Ukrainians, Ukrainian women!

Today, all day, maximum attention is paid to the consequences of the Russian terrorist attack on the Kakhovskaya HPP. Dozens of settlements in the territory under our control were flooded. Thousands of houses!

Evacuation is in progress. And under fire! Russian artillery continues to fire, regardless of anything. Just non-humans.

But as of now, more than 2 people have been rescued in the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. And I thank everyone who is involved in this work, everyone who helps! Our task is to protect life and help people as much as possible.

An absolutely catastrophic situation in the occupied part of the Kherson region. The occupiers simply abandoned people in these terrible conditions. No rescue, no water, just on the roofs of houses in flooded communities. And this is another deliberate crime of Russia: after the terrorist state has caused a catastrophe, it also maximizes the damage from it.

What is needed now is a clear and quick reaction of the world to what is happening. It is even impossible to establish with certainty how many people in the temporarily occupied territory of the Kherson Region may die without rescue, without drinking water, without food, without medical assistance. Our military and special services are saving people as much as possible, despite the shelling.

But larger efforts are needed. It is necessary that international organizations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, immediately join the rescue operation and help people in the occupied part of the Kherson region. Every dead person there is a sentence to the existing international architecture, to international organizations that have forgotten how to save lives. If now the international organization is not in the zone of this disaster, it means that it does not exist at all, it means that it is inefficient. All relevant appeals of Ukraine and our government are available.

Many world leaders, heads of states, governments, and intergovernmental associations expressed their support for Ukraine and their clear condemnation of the Russian crime of ecocide. I thank you for this principle!

Together, we must bring the occupiers to justice. They controlled both the dam and the entire HPP for more than a year. Russian propagandists seriously and openly discussed exactly such a scenario of a man-made disaster, which they carried out. Even last fall, we warned the world about Russia's mining of Kakhovskaya HPP facilities.

We callаand before sending an international observation mission to Kakhovka, before demining units and all facilities of the station. Unfortunately, the world's attention was not enough to ensure all this. Now we must focus the attention of the world on liquidating the consequences of another catastrophe caused by Russia, we must prevent further destructive activities of the occupiers.

Had several important international conversations today.

President of Turkey Erdogan. Briefed him about the situation in the flooded areas, about our rescue operation and the urgent need to help people. 

Of course, they also discussed the risks for the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is still under the control of the occupiers. There is an agreement with the head of the IAEA to intensify the work of IAEA representatives at the station. But it is clear that as long as the occupiers are there, complete security cannot be imagined. Therefore, the de-occupation of Ukraine is a task without alternative.

French President Macron. They discussed - and in great detail - all the consequences of the Russian terrorist attack on the station, the situation in general. Everything we can do to help people, affected regions.

Defense actions were thoroughly discussed, as well as international measures, which we are preparing in spite of everything, because we need security despite any aggressive and frankly insane actions of Russia.

Separately, I want to mention a few things that are important for our entire country, and especially for people in those regions of ours that depended on the Kakhovsky Reservoir.

First. We will provide everyone with drinking water. In all regions, districts, cities and villages where necessary. All necessary supply systems will be made where the potable water supply is now available. Sustainability of supply is the main principle.

Second. The world will be with us. The partners are fully informed about what is happening and what kind of help we need. No matter what the economic, social, ecological consequences of this disaster, all the basics for life will be preserved. Kherson Region, Mykolaiv Region, Zaporizhia Region, Dnipro Region - we see all the problems and will do everything possible and impossible to solve the problems created by the occupiers.

The third. The direct duty of representatives of the state and local authorities in all affected communities and regions is to help people. From the government and the State Emergency Service to regional authorities and local communities, everyone is maximally involved in saving and protecting as many people as possible. Everyone should take this task personally. And I thank those who perceive him in this way! We care about each other and about Ukraine!

And, of course, today I thank each of our soldiers, all units, all brigades that continue to beat the occupiers.

The Bakhmut direction, Avdiyivka, all of Khortytsia, all of Tavria - you are well done!

No matter what, every day should be a day to destroy the enemy.

Glory to all our heroes!

Glory to all who care about Ukraine and Ukrainians!

Glory to Ukraine!"