The wife of President Volodymyr Zelensky said in the message she posted on “Telegram” that she had recently received a huge number of requests for interviews from media around the world, noting that this message was an “answer” to those requests.
Although the whereabouts of the first lady in Ukraine is still unknown, her husband, the president, said a few days ago that his family is still in Ukraine, and she also alluded to this in her letter, as she titled it “a certificate from Ukraine.”
In the letter, Zelenska said: “What happened a little more than a week ago is impossible to believe. Our country was peaceful; our cities, towns and villages were full of life. On February 24, we all awoke to the announcement of the Russian invasion. Tanks crossed the border, planes entered our airspace, bombers circled Missiles are our cities.
And she continued, “Despite the assurances of the Kremlin-backed propaganda outlets, which describe this operation as a (special operation), it is in fact a mass killing of Ukrainian civilians.”.
The wife of the Ukrainian President touched on the children victims of the Russian military operation, and mentioned some of them by name, saying: “Perhaps the most terrifying and destructive of this invasion are the victims of the children. Alice is the 8-year-old who died in the streets of Akhtyrka while her grandfather was trying to protect her.”.
And she continued: “Or Polina from Kyiv, who died in the bombing with her parents. And 14-year-old Arseny, who was hit in the head and was not rescued because an ambulance could not reach him in time, due to the severe fires.”.
And she continued, “When Russia says it is not waging war on civilians, I mention the names of these murdered children first.”.
“Our women and children now live in shelters and basements,” Zelenska added. “You have probably all seen the pictures from Kyiv and Kharkov metro stations, where people are lying on the ground with their children and pets. These are just the consequences of war for some, and now it is a horrific reality for Ukrainians, in some Cities Families cannot leave the shelters for several days in a row due to the indiscriminate and deliberate bombing of civilian infrastructure.”.
And she continued in her message: “The first newborn of the war saw the concrete ceiling of the basement, and his first breath was the jet air underground, and they were greeted by a besieged and horrific society. At this point, there are dozens of children who have never known peace in their lives.”.
The first lady of Ukraine stressed the massive harm caused to civilians in her country, saying: “This war is being waged against the civilian population, not only through bombing.”.
She explained, “Some people need intensive care and ongoing treatment, which they can’t get now. How easy is it to get insulin injections in the basement? Or get asthma medication under a heavy fire? Not to mention the thousands of cancer patients who basically need treatment.” Chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which have been postponed indefinitely.”.
Zelenska also spoke in her letter about the refugee crisis, as about two million Ukrainians left their country for neighboring countries, fleeing the war.
“Our roads are full of refugees,” she said. “Look in the eyes of these tired women and children who carry with them the pain and sadness of leaving their loved ones and the life they knew behind. The men who bring them to the border shed tears for their families, but they come back with courage to fight for our freedom.”.
In her letter, the wife of the Ukrainian president stressed that “despite all this horror, the Ukrainians are not giving up.”.
Then, in her letter, Zelenska went on to accuse Russian President Vladimir Putin and senior Russian officials, saying: “The aggressor Putin, I thought he would unleash a blitzkrieg on Ukraine, but he underestimated our country, our people and their patriotism. Ukrainians, regardless of political opinions, mother tongue, beliefs and nationalities, They stand in unparalleled unity.”.
The first lady concluded her message by thanking the Ukrainian people, saying: “I thank the citizens of the cities under attack, who coordinated to help those in need. Those who continue to work – in pharmacies, shops, public transport and social services – are showing that life in Ukraine is winning.”
Then she thanked the countries that provided aid to Ukraine, saying: “I express my appreciation to those who provided humanitarian aid to our citizens and thank you for your continued support.. And to our neighbors who graciously opened their borders to provide shelter for our women and children, I thank you for keeping them safe when our aggressor made us unable to do so.“.