Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned citizens in the occupied territories against mobilization by the Russian military. “By all means hide from the Russian mobilization. Avoid convocations,” Zelenskyy said in his daily video address on Friday. The 44-year-old added that anyone who has already been drafted into the Russian army should sabotage their activities and report to Kyiv and then flee as quickly as possible.
According to him, the Ukrainian army has recaptured 9,000 square kilometers and liberated 400 towns since the start of its offensive. He emphasized that this was also possible thanks to the help of the local population. The advance strengthened Kiev’s position during the UN General Assembly. “Ukraine has shown that not only the truth is with us, but also strength,” said Zelenskyy. He praised the appearance of the Ukrainian delegation in New York as the most successful in the history of Ukraine.
He also criticized the sham referendums in the Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. The world unequivocally condemned these “pseudo-referendums,” Zelensky said. He spoke of crimes against Ukrainian law and international law. In the Cherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhia regions, the Russian occupying forces are holding votes on joining Russia. These are not recognized internationally because they violate democratic norms.
