Zelensky: Russia brought disregard for value of any life to occupied territories

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine has not forgotten any of its cities and people and will definitely regain control of all temporarily occupied territories, including Donetsk, Horlivka, and Mariupol.

He said this in his latest video address, Ukrinform reports.

"Every year, on the last weekend of summer, two holidays were celebrated in our country – they are closely related – Donetsk City Day and Miner's Day. In 2014, everything changed for Donetsk because of the occupiers. And this year, all of Ukraine will not have holidays. But we have not forgotten and will not forget any of our cities and any of our people. Donetsk has always been one of the richest and strongest cities in Ukraine. Mining has always been one of the most respected professions," Zelensky said.

He noted that now the Donbas is almost destroyed by Russian strikes, devastated, whereas the proud and glorious Ukrainian Donetsk was humiliated by the Russian occupation and robbed. According to the head of state, Russia brought the most terrible thing there - absolute disregard for the value of any life, absolute disrespect for anyone.

Zelensky said that the Russian invaders brought degradation and death and believe that they are there forever, but added that it is a temporary thing for them and Ukraine will return for sure. "Life will return. The dignity of the people of Donbas will return. The ability to live will return. The opportunity to live safely and happily," he said.

"This is exactly what our Ukrainian flag will symbolize when we set it up in Donetsk, Horlivka, Mariupol, in all cities of Donbas, Azov area, in all areas under Russian occupation – in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions. And definitely – in Crimea. Ukraine remembers everything," Zelensky said.