Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed today that Russia never comes “forever” when referring to the liberation of Kherson from Russian occupation a year ago, an operation that he considered a turning point in the war.
“The entire south of Ukraine became convinced last year that Russia never comes ‘forever’, no matter how many times it repeats itself. Because Ukraine always comes back, always! When we know our goal. When it is a common goal. When we are united And when we unite others around the Ukrainian goal,” he said in a message to the nation.
He added that thanks to the operation, Ukrainian forces cleared the right bank of the Dnieper of Russian occupiers, “liberated a significant part of the Kherson region, provided additional protection to Mikolayiv, Odessa and other cities and towns in the south” and “solidified Ukraine’s success in the battle for the Black Sea.
At the same time, the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, “in the smiles of the people of Kherson, in the words of joy when they welcomed our soldiers, (…) also felt its future, saw what close as we were,” he said.
Zelenski stressed that over the last year, Russia “has been seeking revenge” for the liberation of Jerson and other Ukrainian cities with daily attacks with bombs, artillery and missiles.
“Just from yesterday afternoon to this morning, almost forty drones and missiles… Ballistic attacks against Kiev, drones and rockets against Odessa, the Kharkiv region. Deliberate torture by the enemy. Every day! But not a single “Just a day of despair for us!” he said.
Zelenski thanked “everyone who fights on the left bank of the Jerson region for the good of Ukraine” and “everyone who defends Ukrainian lives.”
He expressed his pride in all the Ukrainian soldiers who fought last year and in all those who are now leading the country “through a difficult, painful, but essential – vitally essential – marathon towards the guaranteed freedom of Ukraine.”
“Today marks the first anniversary of the liberation of Kherson from Russian occupation. Hero city. Symbol city. City of hope. The city of our people who did not surrender to enemy forces and inspired the whole world with their resistance “, said.
