The Ukrainian president pointed out that the Russian army's air strikes "are not just military actions during the war"

Zelensky calls situation in Donbas "hell", where pressure mounts

photo_camera AFP PHOTO/Ukrainian presidential press service - Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky delivers a speech

The Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelenski, described the situation in the Donbas as "hell", where Russian troops are trying to increase pressure, and affirmed that the Russian attacks have no military explanation.

"The Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to make progress in liberating the Kharkov region. But in the Donbas the occupiers are trying to increase the pressure even more. It's a hell, and that's not an exaggeration," Zelenski said.

He referred to the "brutal and senseless shelling" of Severodonetsk, where "in one day alone there were twelve dead and dozens wounded".

 Miembros del servicio de las tropas prorrusas, incluyendo combatientes de la unidad de fuerzas especiales chechenas, de pie frente al edificio administrativo destruido de Azovstal Iron and Steel Works durante el conflicto entre Ucrania y Rusia en la ciudad portuaria del sur de Mariúpol, Ucrania 21 de abril 2022

He stressed that the shelling of Ukrainian cities, air and missile attacks by the Russian army "are not just military actions during the war".

He also referred to the Russian attacks in the Chernobyl region, in particular the "terrible" attack in Desna, where debris is still being cleared and many people are dead, the constant attacks in the Odessa region, in the cities of central Ukraine, and the "completely destroyed" Donbas.

"All this does not and cannot have any military explanation for Russia," he added.

Una mujer cerca de un bloque de pisos, que fue destruido durante el conflicto entre Ucrania y Rusia en la sitiada ciudad portuaria del sur de Mariúpol, Ucrania 17 de marzo de 2022

For Zelenski it is "a deliberate and criminal attempt to kill as many Ukrainians as possible, to destroy as many homes, social facilities and businesses as possible".

At the same time, he expressed his conviction that this will be qualified as "genocide of the Ukrainian people" and that all the invaders will definitely be brought to justice.

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