Zelenskyy: Russia is wrong to think it can consolidate its hold on Lyman or Sievierodonetsk

Denys Karlovskyi – Friday, 27 May 2022, 23:30

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has admitted that the situation on the frontline is extremely difficult, but the Russian occupiers are wrong to think that they can consolidate their hold on Lyman or Sievierodonetsk.

Source: President Zelenskyy’s evening video address

Quote: "As we predicted, the situation is very very difficult. The occupiers are trying to achieve the goals they had hoped to realise in the first few days after the 24th [February - ed.] in time for the 100th day of the war.

That’s why they’ve focused maximum artillery, maximum reserves on Donbas: they’re carrying out missile strikes there, they have their aircraft – everything! We are defending our country as much as our defence resources allow us to. We are doing everything we can to strengthen them [the defence resources - ed.], and we will manage to strengthen them.

The occupiers are wrong to believe that Lyman or Sievierodonetsk will be theirs. Donbas will be Ukrainian! Because it is us, it our essence! And even if Russia brings destruction and suffering there, we will still rebuild every city and every hromada [amalgamated territorial community - ed.]. There is, and there will be, no alternative to Ukrainian flags there."

Details: Zelenskyy has informed Ukraine’s international partners about the current situation on the battlefield.

The President also honoured 198 Ukrainian soldiers with state awards, 4 of them posthumously.

Zelenskyy also signed a decree honouring 27 officers of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence.