On December 21, in his evening address to Ukrainians, Volodymyr Zelenskyi told about the consequences of Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities. He said that in Kyiv, the work on clearing rubble after yesterday’s rocket attack has been completed, while in Kherson, restoration work is ongoing in the oncology dispensary that was damaged by Russian bombs. Fortunately, it was possible to avoid casualties – patients and medical staff managed to hide.
Zelensky emphasized the importance of this medical institution, which, despite the war, continued to work in a limited mode, providing vital services that could not be transferred to other hospitals in the region. In particular, it was the only facility in the city that performed radiation therapy using a linear accelerator. The president emphasized that the Russians were well aware of the civilian nature of this facility, and its shelling is a targeted act of cruelty against the civilian population.
Zelenskyi also mentioned the Russian attacks on Kharkiv, Nikopol and Donetsk region, calling these actions deliberate terror. He stated that the perpetrators of these crimes will be held accountable for their actions.
The president assured that Ukraine will continue to strike Russian military facilities using drones and missiles, including Ukrainian-made ones:
“We will unequivocally continue to strike Russian military targets – drones and missiles, increasingly Ukrainian, in particular military bases and Russian military infrastructure, which are used in this terror against our people. Our defense is completely fair.”
Zelensky also thanked international partners for supporting Ukraine, in particular for increasing defense spending by European countries and increasing sanctions pressure on Russia:
“I thank all those around the world who support Ukraine in this, especially those who are in favor of increasing defense spending in European countries, for the modernization and technological progress of arsenals in Europe. And I thank all those who ensure increased pressure on Russia to of this war”.
