Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky has accused Moscow of pressuring doctors to leave from annexed Kherson for Russia, of dismantling health services in the region and of wanting to turn it into an «exclusion zone».
«Before Russia’s arrival, this region, like all other regions of Ukraine, was completely normal and safe. All social services for people were guaranteed. Life was guaranteed,» he said.
On the other hand, Zelenski has stressed, in the context of the lack of health services, that about four million Ukrainians face energy restrictions in areas such as the capital, Kiev, as well as in Yitomir, Poltava, Rivne, Kharkov, Cherkasi, Sumy or Chernigov.
«Emergency blackouts are also likely in other regions. We are doing our best to give the state a chance to reduce them,» he said during a speech reported by the Ukrainian Presidency.
Concerning the end of the «partial mobilization» decreed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said that the mobilized people – a strategy used by Russia to «increase the pressure on its positions» – are «ill-prepared and ill-equipped».
«(They are) so ruthlessly used by the (Russian) command that (it) allows us to suggest that Russia may soon need a new wave of sending people to war,» the Ukrainian president has stressed, adding that Kiev is «preparing for this.»
«We are preparing for the fact that the current Russian leadership will look for new opportunities to continue the war. In particular, thanks to its accomplices in Iran,» he has specified, clearly alluding to the alleged use of Iranian drones in the framework of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Zelenski also thanked Washington for the new military aid package valued at $275 million (276 million euros), which includes ammunition for US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launcher systems.
«Much needed items for our defenders that allow us to liberate our territory step by step. It is not only what helps us advance on the battlefield, it is what allows us to guarantee people their fundamental right to life,» he assured.
He also reminded Canada during his speech, which on Friday sanctioned 35 people and six companies close to the Russian government as a response to the invasion of Ukraine, which began at the end of February, more than eight months ago.
«Today I would like to thank Canada, our longstanding and sincere partners, for an unprecedented act with respect to the issuance of Canada’s sovereign bonds. All funds from the placement will be directed to help Ukraine,» he concluded.
