In advance of a recovery summit in London on Thursday, Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to “rebuild everything” that Vladimir Putin’s war had devastated in Ukraine.
He described the meticulous planning his government was doing for the Ukraine Recovery Conference in the capital of the UK.
In his night-time address, he stated, “Not only today, but throughout the week, we have been very seriously preparing for the Ukraine Recovery Conference to be held in London next week.
“This will be a significant event, very representative, which will unite both political and business efforts to restore our country and normal life for our people.
“The key Ukrainian principle is simple and fair, namely: no ruins will be left in Ukraine.
“We will rebuild everything, restore everything, and we know exactly what steps need to be taken in what timeframe and with what forces to defeat Russian aggression and rebuild our country.
“When the ruins disappear, it is not just the aggressor who loses, but the idea of aggression itself. And it will happen.”
He explained further: “Every day, in preparation for this London conference, we hold long and thorough preparatory meetings – all the necessary state institutions are involved, at different levels.
“And we are doing everything to ensure that the appropriate level of international agreements is prepared for our vision, the Ukrainian vision, which is, as always, meaningful.”
Russian missile, drone, and artillery strikes largely destroyed many eastern Ukrainian towns, villages, and cities, notably Mariupol and Bakhmut, killing thousands of civilians.
During Putin’s war that began in February 2022, several strikes were also conducted on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, on other towns as far west as Lviv, as well as on crucial civilian infrastructure such electricity power plants and water networks.
The conference, which will take place next Wednesday and Thursday, aims to rally international support for Ukraine’s economic and social stabilization and recovery from the effects of war, including by funding private sector participation in the reconstruction process and providing emergency assistance for immediate needs.
Russian missiles fired early on Thursday struck two industrial buildings in the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih in the country’s center, according to Oleksandr Vilkul, the city’s mayor, and an attack by a drone was also reported in Odesa.
Three missiles, according to Mr. Vilkul, struck two industrial facilities “that had nothing to do with the military,” inflicting injuries on one 38-year-old male. One vehicle was harmed by missile debris that was shot down by air defences.
“The destruction is significant,” he wrote on Telegram messaging app.
Authorities in the southern port city of Odesa reported that all 18 Russian drones that approached the area on Thursday were shot down by air defenses.
Authorities in the Crimea, which is under Russian control, also reported a drone attack and claimed to have shot down nine Ukrainian drones.
