Such level of negligence can’t be covered by any excuses – Zelenskyy on bomb shelters in Kyiv

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this in his evening address.

“A tough reaction to the deaths in Kyiv due to the closed shelter is obvious. We have orders to inspect protective structures in Kyiv and across the country,” the leader said.

He also noted that Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko and Minister for Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshyn are responsible for this.

“Unfortunately, even today - after all this time - Kyiv residents are still publishing information about the inaccessibility of shelters. Not just about closed shelters, but about welded entrances to shelters, about the absence of shelters in some parts of the city. This level of negligence in the city cannot be covered by any excuses,” Zelenskyy said.

In addition, the head of state said that all the details of the air defense system - its further development, supply and production of the necessary missiles in Ukraine - were discussed at the meeting.

“Ukraine's air shield must be provided with everything it needs on a regular basis. We are actively engaged in the Patriots coalition and the coalition of modern fighter jets every day,” the leader said.

He added that maximum attention was paid to the situation on the front line.

“I will not talk about it in detail - the actions of our state, the active actions of our soldiers will say what is needed. I also held a separate meeting on the preparation of our new brigades, those that are accumulating strength from the north to the south of our country,” Zelenskyy said.

Negotiations with the President of Estonia

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the main topic of the talks was security.

“Estonia has been helping us with weapons and equipment, supporting our movement to NATO, and generally understanding how important it is that we defeat Rushism right now and on our Ukrainian land. This is important for every nation that is a neighbor of a terrorist state. I am confident that we will provide this security, which is so necessary, we will give Ukraine, the whole of Europe and the free world a victory over Russian aggression,” Zelenskyy said.

On the basis of Diia, Ukraine will help other countries develop public services

Ukraine’s president said that a state application in Estonia would be created on the basis of the Ukrainian Diia.

“What is convenient and useful for millions of Ukrainians will obviously be convenient and useful for other nations. And this is another component of our leadership, Ukrainian leadership. We discussed further cooperation with Mr. President of Estonia, in particular in digitalization,” Zelenskyy added.

“Diia will also help develop public services in other countries, not only in Europe, but also in Latin America and Africa.”

Meetings on policy making for the future

On Friday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting to shape policy for the future.

“I held several meetings, long and meaningful, to shape our policy - a comprehensive one - for the future. As for the further transformation of the state. It concerns our participation in global processes. As always, we are preparing news and decisions that will give Ukraine and Ukrainians even more strength,” he said in a video message.

Zelenskyy honors Ukrainian military and border guards

Zelenskyy also noted the 92nd Detached Mechanized Brigade - all the soldiers of this brigade who steadfastly defend the Svatove direction and successfully repel enemy attacks while moving forward.

In the Avdiivka sector, the leader praised the 110th Detached Mechanized Brigade for its bravery and ability to destroy the occupying Russian forces. 

“I would like to honor the border guards who are defending the state on the front line along with all our defense and security forces. The Lviv, Donetsk, and Zhytomyr border guard detachments that are fighting at the front. Thank you!” Zelenskyy said.

He also thanked the soldiers of the Chernihiv border guard detachment, who are actively countering the Shahed drones. 

The President said that he had signed decrees on awarding 263 servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with state awards.