"Four years since Putin started his three-day push to take Kyiv": Zelenskyy reveals his bunker and addresses Ukrainians
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has recorded a video message on the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, recalling the events of the first days of the war, the victims of Russian aggression and the strength of Ukrainian soldiers and the nation as a whole. He has also given a glimpse inside his bunker on Bankova Street, from where he called world leaders to request weapons.
Source: Zelenskyy in a video address
Quote: "Today marks exactly four years since Putin started his three-day push to take Kyiv. And that, in fact, says a great deal about our resistance, about how Ukraine has fought all this time. Behind those words stand millions of our people. Behind those words stand immense courage, incredibly hard work, endurance, and the long path Ukraine has been pursuing since 24 February."
Details: Zelenskyy showed the long corridors and offices of the bunker where he and hundreds of others held daily military briefings, made calls and sought solutions.
"Our people did not raise a white flag – they defended the blue and yellow one. And the occupiers, who thought they would be met here with crowds waving flowers, saw lines at the recruitment centres instead. Our people chose resistance. And our warriors stood firm, and civilians defended cities and villages, streets and yards. Ordinary people, absolutely, forming living walls, stopped columns of military vehicles, and all together showed lost Russia the only right road," he recalled about the first days of the war.
He recalled the first victims of Russian aggression in Bucha, Irpin, Borodianka, Mariupol and other towns, the mass graves, and attacks on residential buildings and maternity hospitals.
"Men do not fight like this. People do not act like this. Ukrainians will not forget it. Let this footage be seen by everyone who has no pangs of conscience, by all who still extend a hand to Russian evil and still buy Putin's oil," the president said.
Zelenskyy added that Ukraine has come a long way from relying on donated body armour to having advanced systems such as Patriots, Iris, NASAMS, F-16s and its own long-range weapons. The country produces over 3 million FPV drones a year, shoots down hundreds of Shahed drones overnight and is capable of large-scale operations like the Kursk operation and Operation Pavutyna (Spider's Web).
He also paid tribute to fallen Ukrainian defenders.
"Dear people, the strength that has sustained us all these years is you. Our people. Our resistance is you. Ukrainian men. Ukrainian women. Everyone who does not give up. Our eyes may be tired, but our backs are unbroken. And I want to thank each and every one who carries independence on their shoulders. Every warrior – for your strength. Your parents, your children, your wives and husbands – for their endurance. I thank all those whose work makes Ukraine stronger. Those who bring light and warmth back to our homes. Those who heal. Those who volunteer. Those who teach. Those who study – in universities or in schools – and who learn the most important thing: to be human, to be Ukrainian. I am proud of you. I believe in each and every one of you. In all of you to whom, without any exaggeration, I have the honour to say: Great people of a great Ukraine," the president said.
He added that Ukraine is facing "the hardest winter in history", but it is "less than a week until spring".
"Putin has not achieved his goals. He has not broken Ukrainians. He has not won this war. We have preserved Ukraine, and we will do everything to secure peace and justice," Zelenskyy concluded.
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