Next week will be especially important for our defense – Zelensky

President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in his video address to the nation, Ukrinform reports.

"Next week will be especially important for our defense, for our advancement towards victory. We are already preparing for scheduled events and decisions. The main thing now is to protect our unity, take care of our defenders, help each other and the state," Zelensky said.

The President noted that the situation in Donetsk region remains difficult. It is "especially hot" near Avdiivka, Marinka, and Bakhmut.

"There will be a day when we will say: the last occupier has fled or been killed in Donetsk region, in Luhansk region, in Kherson region and in our entire south. Crimea will be free and safe again. Ukraine will return everything belonging to it," he added.

As reported, since February 24, 2022, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have eliminated about 173,990 Russian invaders.