Zelensky: "During 100 Days of Fighting with Russia, One-Fifth of the Territory Was Occupied"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed for support from Western countries and lamented the damage, stating that more than one-fifth of the country's territory has been occupied by Russia, in a video sent to the Luxembourg Parliament.

According to the AP News on the 2nd (local time), President Zelensky said in a video speech to the Luxembourg Parliament that "after 100 days of war, more than one-fifth of the territory has been occupied by Russia," adding, "The occupied area is 125,000 km², which is larger than the combined area of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg." The Russian invasion, which began on February 24, marks its 100th day on the 3rd.

President Zelensky appealed, "Imagine a front line that stretches over 1,000 km with continuous battles along it," and said, "After the Russian military withdrew from Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, in the early stages of the invasion, fierce fighting continues along a crescent-shaped front line connecting the northeastern city of Kharkiv and the outskirts of Mykolaiv near the southern Black Sea." He also stated that since the invasion, 14,000 Ukrainians, including soldiers and civilians, have died.

Russian forces also intensified their offensive mainly in the Donbas region on the same day. According to the British BBC, Russian forces are strengthening their offensive on Severodonetsk, the easternmost city of Ukraine in the Donbas region. British Ministry of Defense officials said that Russia has almost captured Severodonetsk thanks to concentrated artillery attacks.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.