Zelensky to Central Asian media: We have hatred and anger towards everything Russian because of these deaths

The brutal attacks by Russia, which have resulted in numerous casualties among Ukrainians, have caused most of our people to develop anger and hatred for everything Russian. Russia's crimes and aggression have made it difficult for many Ukrainians to even speak Russian.

This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky during an interview with journalists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The interview took place on the ruins of a printing house in Kharkiv that was destroyed by a Russian strike.

One of the journalists present at the meeting with Zelensky asked him to answer questions in Russian. This way, she explained, it would be possible to avoid inaccuracies in translation for people living in Central Asia. After all, many of them are fluent in Russian.

In response, Zelensky admitted that Russia's crimes have formed a strong rejection of everything Russian, including the language of the aggressor state, among many Ukrainians.

"You know, at some point it became very difficult for us to even speak Russian. Of course, people here know Ukrainian, Russian, and English. And young people in general already know many languages, they are very educated, and I am very happy about this... Here's an example. For example, these are the daily attacks of the country of Russia, which Kharkiv residents have considered a friend and neighbor for many years. We are in a printing house, that's what's left," the president drew the attention of his interlocutors to the ruins and ashes of the printing house destroyed by Russia, where the meeting was held.

Zelensky reminded that seven employees, mostly women, were killed and more than 20 people were injured in the printing house as a result of the Russian attack on May 23.

"Basically, everyone knows, everyone is talking, but, you know, the hatred and anger towards everything Russian because of all these deaths is there. And we have to recognize it. Even though we are simply-quite rightly-defending our country, our homes and people, our children. It doesn't always work out. In fact, you are witnessing this," the head of state again pointed to the ruins around him.

Zelensky also noted that after the start of Russia's full-scale aggression, Ukrainians' attitude toward Belarus changed, as Russian troops entered Ukraine from the territory of this country and Russian missiles flew into Ukraine. At the same time, according to the head of state, Ukrainians still treat the people of this country with respect.

Earlier, the President of Ukraine said that Russia was gathering a new group of troops on the border northwest of Kharkiv and preparing an offensive.

Meanwhile, Major Oleksiy Hetman, a reserve officer in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, calls an offensive by the Russian army in Sumy region very likely. He assumes that the enemy will either attack the border in small groups or try to create bridgeheads there, just like in Kharkiv region.

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