Reznikov: Number of civilians killed by aggressors exceeds number of military fallen in fighting

"Having suffered devastating losses, the Russian occupiers launched a terrorist war. They behave like criminals and cowards. They kill and take civilians, women, and children hostage. As of March 10, the number of Ukrainian civilians killed by Russian invaders exceeds the number of military fallen in fighting. I want this to be heard not only in Ukraine, but all over the world. The Kremlin is bombing schools, clinics, and maternity hospitals. Moscow does not protect anyone – it destroys. They are not able to fight against our army, national guard, territorial defense, so they attack the most vulnerable," Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov posted on Facebook.

He assured that Ukraine would take vengeance for every Ukrainian, and every Russian terrorist would be held accountable for crimes against humanity. The lists of participants in the invasion and their accomplices will be submitted to all relevant institutions. No one will go unpunished for all the horrors and evil they have brought to Ukraine and the world, the minister said.

Reznikov also said that now the state leadership was working towards saving the lives of Ukrainians. The priority is to organize humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens from the most vulnerable cities: primarily Mariupol, towns in Sumy region, Kharkiv region, some suburbs of Kyiv – as well as to deliver humanitarian goods.

The defense minister stressed that the Ukrainian army was being strengthened around the clock.

"I will not comment on arms supply. I can say that tens of thousands of helmets and bulletproof vests, medicines, and other important things are moving to Ukraine. I am in constant contact with the command of the Armed Forces. Our army has enough fuel. But we are still forming additional reserves, strengthening ourselves in all possible directions. We place additional orders at our manufacturers," Reznikov said.

He also said that more than 100,000 Ukrainians had joined the ranks of territorial defense and more than 200,000 Ukrainian citizens had returned from Europe to defend their country. In addition, there are foreign volunteers who are ready to fight against Russian Nazism.

Reznikov called on all Ukrainian conscripts to stay in touch with recruitment and social support centers.

He also assured that no one would take unprepared people to the army and send them to the front.

"We will not defeat Russia in quantity, we will overcome it in quality. Those who have the appropriate skills, weapons, and equipment will be sent to combat units," Reznikov said.

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