Zelenskyy on Russian passports in Kherson and Melitopol: a ticket to escape

KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO - SATURDAY, 11 JUNE, 2022, 23:35

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PHOTO BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that for collaborators obtaining Russian passports in Russian occupied cities of Kherson and Melitopol (the latter in Zaporizhzhia Oblast) is like obtaining a ticket to escape.

Source: President's video address

Quote: "News about the distribution of Russian passports in Kherson and Melitopol is actively being disseminated in the occupied territories and in Russia. I looked into who was portrayed in the news as Kherson and Melitopol residents allegedly wanting Russian passports. These are a few collaborators and their people.

Well, it looks less like queuing to get a [Russian] passport, and more like trying to get a ticket to escape. It's very revealing."

Details: Zelenskyy noted that the Ukrainian military is gradually liberating some territories in the Kherson region. In particular, the village of Tavriyske was added to the list of liberated settlements. There has also been some success in Zaporizhzhia oblast, he added.

The President also said that fierce street fighting continues in Sievierodonetsk.

"Do you remember how Russia hoped to capture the entire Donbas in early May? It's the 108th day of the war, we are now in June. Donbas is holding on. The losses suffered by the occupiers, including in this area, are very significant. In total, the Russian army has lost about 32,000 personnel. What for? What did it give you, Russia?" he asked.

Background: On 11 June, Russian occupiers gave out 30 Russian passports to locals in the occupied city of Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Passports were also handed out in the city of Kherson. Only 23 people from the entire regional centre received them, including the collaborator and former mayor, Volodymyr Saldo.