The defense forces are directing efforts to disrupt the execution of the Russian invaders’ offensive plans and exhaust their combat potential.

Since the beginning of the day, 113 combat clashes have taken place.

The enemy launched three missile strikes, using five missiles, 70 air strikes, and dropped 193 guided air bombs. In addition, he used 5,231 kamikaze drones and carried out 2,583 attacks on populated areas and positions of our troops.

In the North-Slobozhansk and Kursk directions today, the enemy fired 80 shots at the positions of our troops and populated areas.

In the South-Slobozhansk direction, the enemy stormed the positions of our units in the areas of the settlements of Vovchansk, Vovchanski Khutory and towards the settlements of Grafske and Okhrimivka. Ukrainian units repelled three attacks, three more combat clashes are currently ongoing.

At the moment, no enemy offensive actions have been recorded in the Kupyansk direction.

On the Lyman direction, Ukrainian soldiers stopped four attacks in the area of ​​the Tverdokhlibov settlement and in the direction of Lyman, Stavky. Two skirmishes are ongoing.

In the Slavyansk direction, our defenders repelled ten attempts by the occupiers to move forward, in the area of ​​Dronivka settlement and in the direction of Zakitny, Rai-Olexandrivka, Platonivka. Another battle is currently not completed.

The enemy did not conduct offensive operations in the Kramatorsk direction.

In the direction of Kostiantynivka, today the occupiers stormed the positions of our defenders nine times near the settlements of Pleshchiivka, Shcherbynivka and in the direction of Kostiantynivka, Berestko, Novopavlivka, Sofiivka.

The enemy made 22 attacks in the Pokrovsky direction. The occupiers tried to advance near the settlements of Rodynske, Pokrovsk, Hryshyne, Kotlyna, Molodetske, Filia and towards the settlements of Novopavlivka and Novye Shakhove. In some locations, fighting is still going on.

According to preliminary calculations, today in this direction our soldiers eliminated 36 invaders and wounded 25; destroyed 41 unmanned aerial vehicles, one artillery system, three units of motor transport, five units of special equipment, also damaged five artillery systems, two control points of BpLA, three units of motor vehicles and 18 shelters of enemy personnel.

In the Oleksandrivsk direction, Ukrainian units stopped four attacks by the occupiers in the area of ​​Zlagoda and in the direction of Ivanivka. The settlements of Havrylivka, Novoselivka, Velikomykhailivka, Orly were hit by guided air bombs.

The occupiers attacked 15 times in the direction of Gulyaipol, in the areas of Gulyaipol, Dobropill, Dorozhnyanka, and in the direction of Zaliznychny, Tsvitkovo. In some locations, the fighting continues to this day. Enemy aircraft struck the settlements of Verkhnia Tersa, Gulyaipilske, Lyubitske, Lisne, Vozdvizhivka, Charivne, Girke, Barvinivka.

The enemy did not conduct offensive operations in the Orichiv direction. Novooleksandrivka, Veselyanka, and Yuriivka were hit by airstrikes.

In the Dnieper direction, the enemy carried out one unsuccessful offensive and launched an airstrike on the settlement of Vesele.

ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY
February 24 is a special date. And even if there was a goal or appropriate steps to be taken to approach this or that election, I think it would be a completely stupid idea to take such a date to talk about politics. This is a very serious date – four years of the war. This is a large number of people who defended our state, who gave their lives. And since February 24, our people have been defending their country every day. I could never do that.

Therefore, no elections, any elections, can be announced on February 24. The question is not about personalities. No election can be announced on February 24.

And regarding the announcement of elections in principle, I repeat: first – security, then – politics. We can proceed to the elections when all the appropriate security guarantees are in place. The issue of elections is raised by some partners. Ukraine itself has never raised this issue. But, of course, we are ready for the elections. It is very easy to do – make a ceasefire and there will be elections. That is, it is a matter of security.

We have not received any answers from the Russians regarding the energy truce. Probably the opposite: we got a response in the form of drones and missile attacks. Therefore, this indicates that they are not yet ready for the energy truce proposed by the American side in Abu Dhabi.

As for meeting in Miami or Abu Dhabi. Why “or”. Because the American side proposed it already next week – a meeting in America, in Miami. And we immediately confirmed. They expected from the Russians. So far, I understand, Russia is hesitating. It will again be a proposal for the Middle East or America – we are ready. We don’t care if we meet in Miami or in Abu Dhabi. The main thing is to have a result.

It is important that Ukraine will do everything to be technically ready to join the European Union by 2027. At least we will do the main things.

I want a specific date. If the treaty signed by America, Russia, especially Putin, I as the President of Ukraine and Europe, does not give, then Russia will do everything later to block the process. And not even with your own hands, but by some representatives of Europe.

You and I are witnesses of the corresponding things when the clusters do not open. There were problems with the candidacy, there was a whole wave of difficulties and our struggle. Nevertheless, we received the nomination. It is more difficult with clusters.

For us, the European Union is concrete. Because these are security guarantees for Ukraine. These are specifics, with a specific date. And my signature today on the 20-point plan, the plan to end the war, guarantees Ukrainians that there will be a specific date for our accession.

We believe in the Armed Forces and help them! Together we are a force! Glory to Ukraine!