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February 5, 2024

President Zelenskyy on frontline visits Sunday:  The government is ‘working to enhance capability to shoot down missiles and drones’

Ukraine Defense Ministry

The President of Ukraine

We are working to enhance the ability to shoot down missiles and drones – address by the President of Ukraine

4 February 2024 

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians! It’s a very active Sunday today.

In the morning, I visited Robotyne, one of the toughest areas of the frontline, Zaporizhzhia sector. I personally thanked the warriors and awarded five of the best directly on the front line – those who have distinguished themselves in combat over the past weeks: Senior Soldiers Ihor Honcharuk, Ivan Taran, Yaroslav Polishchuk, Sergeant Mykhailo Blashkiv, and Senior Lieutenant Andriy Olshanskyi – Andriy was awarded the Cross of Military Merit. All of them are exactly the kind of guys whose bravery and endurance preserve our positions and our country. I thank you, warriors, and all your brothers-in-arms!

I held a security meeting in Zaporizhzhia related not only to the region and the city. There were reports from military commanders, including on the situation in Avdiivka. Of course, we had a separate conversation about Zaporizhzhia, this whole direction. I am grateful to everyone involved in the construction of fortifications. Protection from Russian air strikes. Ensuring social life. The state is ready to take further action to ensure employment and social harmony in the region. Today I also introduced the new head of the regional military administration, Ivan Fedorov.

In the afternoon, I visited the East Air Force Command. A report and a detailed discussion on the protection of the skies over the Dnipropetrovsk region. The threat remains constant and severe, as Russia views the region as one of its primary targets for terrorist attacks, specifically targeting our enterprises and our economic potential. We are working to enhance the ability to shoot down missiles and drones. And our Air Force servicemen, mobile firing groups, everyone who is combating Russian aerial terror specifically deserve our gratitude and further reinforcement. We are preparing new talks with our partners to this end.

Now I am in Kryvyi Rih, focusing on the entire district and other communities in the region. We held a meeting on energy and water supply for the cities and villages in the Dnipropetrovsk region, including Kryvyi Rih. Protection of energy facilities. Reinforcement of mobile firing groups, air defense, and electronic warfare. Restoration of power facilities. I am grateful to all those who have been working to restore power supply after the recent strikes – every repair crew. I am also grateful to those who are currently working on the construction of a new water supply infrastructure. This is a strategic task. Hundreds of thousands of people depend on it. Nikopol, Marhanets, Pokrov, part of Kryvyi Rih and Kryvyi Rih district. There was a separate report on protection against saboteurs and collaborators. The law enforcement officials have achieved good results.

Maximum respect and gratitude to everyone who fights for the sake of the state, works for Ukraine and its people, and to everyone who helps – every volunteer, every volunteer community. To everyone who is in the state and with the state. Glory to Ukraine!

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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.